Activities of Alviina ALAMETSÄ related to 2020/2112(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges
Amendments (44)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
— having regard to the Council Conclusions on Indigenous Peoples of 15 May 2017 and the Joint Staff Working Document - Implementing EU External Policy on Indigenous Peoples of 17 October 2016,
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
— having regard to the three legally binding agreements negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council, namely the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic of 2011, the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic of 2013, and the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation of 2017,
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas since the end of the Cold Warover the past decades, the Arctic has been a zregione of peace andful international cooperation, and the goal of the international community should be to keep it as suchone in which states display a willingness to cooperate and to resolve contentious issues in accordance with the principles of international law;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the circumpolar Arctic is home to over four million people, including more thanover 40 different indigenous ethnic grouppeoples and local communities and half a million EU citizens;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Arctic has been particularly and increasingly affected by the dramatic impact of climate change and biodiversity degradation, including rising temperatures, changes in ice conditions, wild fires, rising sea levels, changing weather patterns, invasive alien species, severe biodiversity losses and the thawing of permafrost, which in turn are affecting the entire planet; whereas local adaptation strategies and the protection of the Arctic ecosystem cannot be addressed in isolation from the global framework of climate action;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the mostly extraneous effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact thconstitute economicmplicating factors for sustainable development of and the northern hemispherepreservation of traditional livelihoods in the fragile environment of the Arctic;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to competition for itsthe increasing interest in its abundant natural resources and the emerging new maritime routes; whereas the exploration and exploitation of Arctic resources entail substantial risks for the vulnerable ecosystems and local populations;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas cooperation in the field of scientific research is now, more than ever, crucial to overcoming the challenges brought about by pollusevere environmental degradation and climate change;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the remit and functioning of the Arctic Council is limited, givinggives it the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affectand to take on new responsibilities, thus making it the Arcticprimary venue for Arctic cooperation;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the EU’s engagement with the Arctic is based on history, geography, economy and research, and whereas the EU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a peaceful, environmentally cleansustainable and cooperative Arctic;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas Russian obstruction has since 2014 denied the EU formal observer status to the Arctic Council; the EU actively participates in the work of the relevant groups, task forces and expert groups of the Arctic Council; whereas it has applied for formal observer status to the Arctic Council; whereas the EU is also engaged in other regional and sub-regional fora, including the Northern Dimension and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the military importance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing due to the progressive and steady re-militarisation of the Russian Federation, significantly increasing the likelihood of military confrontstability of the Arctic has long been relatively preserved, but it is increasingly affected by the growing international interest in the region and the changing security landscape, including the progressive re-militarisation of the Russian Federation in the region;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas China has engaged in a long-term effort to enhance its position in the Arctic, declaring itself a ‘near-Arctic state’, with the ambition of becoming a ‘polar power’;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Arctic plays a crucial role in keeping the environmental balance of the planet and aims to maintain the region as a zone of peace and international cooperationStresses the critical importance to maintain the Arctic as a region of peace and international cooperation; expresses its alarm at the dramatic and growing impact of climate change on Arctic realities and its consequences for the region, its inhabitants and ecosystem, as well as the planet at large; stresses that the EU, as an Arctic stakeholder and a global actor, should urgently step up its engagement in the Arctic and place the preservation of the vulnerable ecosystem and the livelihood of its peoples at its core;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes, however, that interest in the Arctic and its resources is growing because of the negative effects of climate change and resource scarcityoverexploitation, creating new opportunities for economic development but also increasing the risk of confrontation and further disruption to the fragilized Arctic ecosystems;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Arctic states hold the primary responsibility for tackling issues within their territories; reiterates that international law is the cornerstone of the legal framework regulating inter-state relations in the Arctic and underlines the importance of the UNCLOS as the basis of all maritime activity; in this context, calls on the USA to ratify UNCLOS;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that the prospect of Arctic militarisation carries substantial security risks in and beyond the region; notes that the Arctic plays a crucial role in the security of Europe as whole; insists on the need to preserve the Arctic as a low- tension area, notably by enhancing regional dialogue, cross-border cooperation and encouraging demilitarization; encourages, moreover, all Arctic states to ensure that any military activity is carried out in a way that promotes security and stability, and to ensure predictability and transparency of such activity;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges all actors engaged in the Arctic, including the Russian Federation to enact its Arctic policies in full respect of international law and to be mindful of the consequences of itstheir actions; is therefore worried by the military build-up pursued by Russia, including theexpresses it concerns about the destabilising effect of an increasing deveplopyment of anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilitimilitary capabilities in the Arctic; urges the circumpolar nations not to build up military outposts or scientific outposts, which are protected by the military forces;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that cooperation withBelieves that the current deterioration in the relationship between Russia inand the ArcticEU should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement and should not jeopardise the goals of sanctions against Russian actions elsewherenot hamper cooperation on Arctic; insists that constructive collaboration on Arctic issues with Russia, as the largest Arctic state, must actively be sought; believes that the EU and Russia have substantial common interests in a number of areas related to the Arctic, including in the field of maritime security and cross-border cooperation on environmental issues;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers thatTakes note of the inclusion of the Arctic by China in its economic development programmes, with the aspiration to integrate the Arctic’s northern sea route into its Belt and Road Initiative (as a ‘Polar Silk Road’), as well as the Arctic’s prominent place in the military strategy of the Russian Federation, are cause for concern and challenge any idea that the Arctic could be dealt with as a self-contained regionnd calls on the EU to factor this development into its updated Arctic policy;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes with concern the opening and the fast growing naval traffic and energy extraction along the North Sea Route, and its impact notably on the environment and marine biodiversity, as well as a source of geopolitical tensions; expresses concern at the EU’s intention to integrate the North Sea Route into its logistical routes; urges the EU to seek the exclusion of the Arctic from transoceanic global shipping routes and its limitation to local cargo traffic and research purposes; calls on all EU-based companies to uphold the highest environmental standards in all their business activities related to the North Sea Route;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that it is crucial that the right of innocent passage of foreign ships through territorial seas be preserved and regrets all efforts made by the Russian Federation aimed at closing its navigable Arctic routes;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Insists that companies based in or operating within the EU strictly comply with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in relation to all their business operations and relationships with the Arctic region and ensure effective human rights and environmental due diligence processes; calls upon these entities to ensure effective, meaningful and informed consultations at all stages of the process with both affected and potentially affected stakeholders, including Indigenous Peoples;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF Fisheries agreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step towards tackle the problems of the Arctic;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of taking precautionary approach to Arctic fisheries, at all stages, and encourages the adoption of a sustainable, science-based approach; is concerned by the inability of Arctic coastal states to agree on how to divide quotas on transboundary fish stocks and expresses its support for existing regional fisheries management organisations;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. ICalls concerned by the persistent intention of the Russian Federation and China to pursue far-reaching and highly impactful exploitation projects without the EU to promote strict precautionary regulatory standards in the field of environmental protection and safety in the Arctic; calls for a ban on mineral resource prospection and production in the Arctic waters and for the promotion by the EU of comparable precautionary standards across the Artic region; urges all Arctic states to ensure appropriate ex ante assessment of their environmental impact of any exploitation projects;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Highlights the importance of addressing the aspirations, needs and challenges faced by local populations, notably in terms of people-to-people cooperation, connectivity, access to internet, education, health care and employment, particularly for the youth and marginalized groups; highlights the need for the updated Arctic policy to incorporate an ambitious gender dimension;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its call to actively involve all the inhabitants of the Arctic, and particularly indigenous peoples, in decision-making processes concerning development choicesUnderlines the fact that, in application of the right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) enshrined in UNDRIP, the development of any project which could concern the indigenous peoples of the Arctic or their territory must be the subject of an appropriate consultation process, that once they have given their consent, they can withdraw it at any time and that the consultation process must allow them to negotiate the conditions under which in the project will be designed, implemented, monitored and evaluated;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on Arctic States to comply with their commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in particular article 8 on in-situ conservation, and to support the recommendations made by Indigenous Peoples in the process of climate change, relating to the respect of their rights and welfare in measures and programmes for climate change mitigation and adaptation;. calls on all states, particularly the EU and the Member States, to ensure that indigenous peoples and local communities of the Arctic are included in the deliberations and decision-making processes of relevant international climate diplomacy; encourages the Commission to continue to promote dialogue and collaboration between indigenous peoples and the European Union as well as with international fora, notably in relation to climate change; supports the recommendation of Indigenous Peoples to have direct access to funds of the Green Climate Fund-GCF for their sustainable mitigation and adaptation initiatives;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Stresses the need to ensure the preservation of Indigenous Peoples’ culture, traditions and languages by establishing capacity building programmes to increase awareness about the diversity, history and rights of the Indigenous Peoples, not only for Indigenous youth but also for non- Indigenous populations across the region;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Calls on EU delegations in the Arctic States to engage in a genuine and inclusive dialogue with Indigenous Peoples at national and regional levels and to serve as focal points on Indigenous Peoples issues; highlights the need for the staff of these EU delegations to be versed on Indigenous Peoples rights as affirmed under UNDRIP;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15d. Welcomes the growing acknowledgement of the rights of indigenous peoples in the EU’s external policies; calls for an enhanced coherence between the EU’s internal and external Arctic policies in this area;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the ongoing process of updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also rlow the EU to play an eflfect new security realities; is of the opinion that the EU should engage with stakeive and a more ambitious role in the region, taking into account the pressing challenges relating to climate change and the growing geopolitical significance of the Arctic; insists that this policy must reflect both the internal and external dimensions of the relations of the EU with the Arctic; believes that the updated policy shoulders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity incorporate a comprehensive approach to security, which includes notably the notions of environment and health; also, calls for the EU to include a sustainable connectivity dimension to its updated Arctic policy, in order to solve key issues faced by Arctic inhabitants, such as ensuring quality internet connections;
Amendment 358 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Expresses support for the EU programmes dedicated to the region, particular in the field of research, education and cross-border cooperation, which should be enhanced under the updated Arctic policy and the new EU external financial instrument, notably in addressing the Arctic youth; calls on the Commission to provide a comprehensive overview of EU funding dedicated to the region and the Arctic components of horizontal EU programmes;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Underscores that the EU approach to the Northern Dimension policy with its partnerships and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council with its activities should be an integral part of the EU´s updated Arctic strategy and support the implementation of its goals;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Regrets Russia’s veto ofSupports efforts to secure the EU's observer status in the Arctic Council; and supports the EU’s continued de facto membership of Arctic Council working groups;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the need for the EU and its Member States to maintain constructive relations with all non-European Arctic states and underlines the need for the EU to keeppursue and promote a rights-based approach in its engagingement with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic; calls on the EU to involve local and regional levels of governance to a greater extent in the development of its policies affecting the region;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for the Arctic to be included as one of the objectives of the EU’s Strategic Compass, similarly to the NATO Reflection Process;
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s strategic policies such as the EU Green Deal, its Connectivity Strategy, Biodiversity Strategy and its Global Strategy, but also in its programmes, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Urges the European External Action Service and the Commission to allocate adequate resources to reflect the ambition of the EU’s Arctic policy; welcomes the work of the EU Special Envoy for Arctic matters and calls for enhanced support to his mandate;
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Calls for the reinforcement of the parliamentary dimension of the EU’s Arctic policy; in this regard, supports the establishment of a delegation on Arctic Matters and Northern Cooperation, as envisaged in the 2016 Joint Communication;
Amendment 406 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Reiterates the call to establish in the Council a specific working party covering Northern Europe and the Arctic in a comprehensive manner, as suggested already in 2016 joint communication;