Activities of Anna FOTYGA related to 2020/2112(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges (debate)
The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges
Amendments (94)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
— having regard to the Ilulissat Declaration adopted on 28 May 2008 by the five coastal states at the Arctic Ocean Conference,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
Citation 25
— having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
— having regards to the Commission’s Communication on Critical Raw Materials Resilience of September 2020,
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 26 a (new)
Citation 26 a (new)
— having regard to the statement from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region of 13-14 April 2021,
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas three Member States and additionally two members of the European Economic Area are part of the Arctic Council and six others Members States hold the status of observers;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the future of the Arctic requires a broader understanding and actions reaching beyond the regional level and littoral Arctic states owing to the direct link between the geopolitics and security of the Arctic and its environmental situation, which is in turn strongly influenced by the consequences of human behaviour in other areas of the planet;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the Arctic sea ice is melting at an unprecedented speed, with estimates that around 70% permafrost areas are prone to thawing, which poses a serious risk for infrastructure as well as for biodiversity and ecosystems;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the region’s geo- economic importance is quickly growing due to the enhanced interest and competition for its natural resources and for the new maritime routes: the North West Passage, the Northern Sea Route and the future Transpolar Sea Route that are opening up as a consequence of the ice-melting;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas, at the same time, some of the changes in the Arctic’s natural landscape are translating into economic opportunities available in the area, including shipping, exploitation of mineral resources, fishing and tourism, which offer enormous potential for a technologically advanced, environmentally friendly and sustainable economic development but also open a new theatre for military activities;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas the primary responsibility for the preservation and sustainable development of the Arctic should continue to be borne by the Arctic states, while ensuring the maximum possible involvement in decision making of the population living in those territories, with particular regard to indigenous peoples;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited, giving as it is based on voluntary action and entails no binding authority the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affecting the Arctico handle disputes or other controversies, it gives the Arctic Council flexibility to adapt to new challenges, take on new responsibilities and pursue a peaceful and constructive cooperation that so far led to several binding agreements between the Arctic states. However, that remit is also making it less able to respond to all the issues affecting the region and may be insufficient to answer all the potential challenges, such as environmental disasters or heightened tensions; whereas, if such issues are not appropriately addressed, they may end the era of the Arctic as a low-tension area of peaceful cooperation;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the Arctic Council’s commitment to the well-being of the inhabitants of the Arctic, sustainable development of the region, and the protection of the Arctic environment, including the health of ecosystems, maintenance of biodiversity and conservation and sensible use of natural resources should be fully supported by the EU;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas, the essential role of international law, in particular the UNCLOS and the conventions of the IMO, which provide a framework for international cooperation and action on issues related to the Arctic Ocean, should be reaffirmed and reinforced;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the EU is committed to work towards an open and secure global maritime domain, in accordance with EU Global Strategy and EU Maritime Security Strategy;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the Arctic coastal states have confirmed in 2008 and 2018, in the Ilulissat declaration, that they will follow international law, most notably the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in governing the Arctic Ocean;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas the Arctic security and politics have become ever more linked to global issues, with developments outside of the Arctic being likely to have consequences for Arctic states and vice versa;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K c (new)
Recital K c (new)
Kc. whereas no single institutional framework appears to be able to accommodate the diverse interests of Arctic and non-Arctic stakeholders and the many rapidly evolving challenges they face;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K d (new)
Recital K d (new)
Kd. whereas the existing governance model should remain transparent and inclusive and could be upgraded in order to enlarge the scope of the stakeholders bearing a direct responsibility for the conservation of the Arctic as an area of peace and cooperation as well as for its environmental preservation;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K e (new)
Recital K e (new)
Ke. whereas the EU’s engagement with the Arctic is decades old, based on history, geography, economy and research; whereas the EU has consistently demonstrated its commitment towards a peaceful, environmentally clean and cooperative Arctic, including in the context of its Northern Dimension policy and in the framework of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and has clearly indicated its readiness to play an even more prominent role in order to realize the full potential and value that the EU can add;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the EU has the ability to contribute in various ways to solve potential emerging challenges and prevent conflicts in the Arctic; whereas the EU should, together with its Member States, facilitate the formation of Arctic civil security mechanisms, foster capabilities for managing crises and catastrophes and develop infrastructure for rescue operations;
Amendment 121 #
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, which represents a very worrying development of significantly increasing the likelihood of military confrontation in the region;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas Russia has been expanding its military capacities to the Arctic region and reopened abandoned Cold War military installations, significantly boosting the anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capability in the strategic Northern Sea Route (NSR), which Russia falsely claims as an internal waterway;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M b (new)
Recital M b (new)
Mb. whereas the Barents Sea region has been the main testbed for both ballistic and cruise missile systems, while the area east of Noveya Zemlya has been the main area for nuclear tests;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M c (new)
Recital M c (new)
Mc. whereas Russia violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its peaceful neighbours, blocking freedom of navigation in the Azov, Black and Baltic seas, all of which cannot be disregarded when assessing the future scenarios for maintaining current peaceful coexistence in the Arctic;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M d (new)
Recital M d (new)
Md. whereas ambitious, highly impactful and far-reaching projects and initiatives of non-Arctic global powers, such as China, are a cause of great concern;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M e (new)
Recital M e (new)
Me. whereas Russian posture in the Arctic should be viewed as integral to its overall confrontation with the West, in which Europe is the principal theatre;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M f (new)
Recital M f (new)
Mf. whereas the Kremlin has launched an information campaign to highlight its accomplishments in the Arctic and promote its ambitions there, further illustrated by a Russian expedition which planted its flag on the seabed of the North Pole;
Amendment 137 #
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’ and enhancing collaboration with Russia in the Arctic;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)
Recital N a (new)
Na. whereas most strategies of Arctic players have been updated taking into account the rapidly changing situation in the region and the growing economic and geostrategic significance of the Arctic;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N b (new)
Recital N b (new)
Nb. Whereas the current Arctic governance framework, centred on the Arctic Council, has for the last 25 years provided significant contribution to the stability of the region, congratulates the Arctic Council on its 25th anniversary as the primary forum for Arctic cooperation which has proven its ability to maintain a constructive and positive spirit of cooperation;
Amendment 148 #
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 maintainis satisfied that the region has been for a zlong time a place of peace and fruitful international cooperation. Stresses that all stakeholders, including the EU and its Member States, need to act to keep it as such in the future;
Amendment 166 #
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, first and foremost the rapidly melting ice, and resource scarcity, creating new opportunities for economic development but also increasing the risk of confrontation;
Amendment 170 #
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 with regard to all ocean-related activities and particularly for the delimitation of the Arctic continental shelf and for peacefully settling intra-Arctic sovereignty issues as regards territorial seas; in this respect, repeats its call on the EU and the Member States to play a stronger role in the effective implementation of international conventions;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. While fully recognizing the status of Arctic States’ sovereignty and their sovereign rights in accordance with international law, believes that safeguarding achievements of three decades of peaceful cooperation may need further sensible governance responses to make it more effective and inclusive, for example by involving in it all actors that share the responsibility for the conservation of the Arctic and have an interest to support its sustainable development. In this respect, strongly pleads for the approval of the EU’s application to obtain the status of Arctic Council observer and stresses that the EU’s capacity to provide solutions to potential security challenges should be fully exploited;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Recognises the importance of the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region and the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum, and is committed to a strong and active participation in the parliamentary cooperation in the North;
Amendment 187 #
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; recognizes the strategic importance of the Arctic and notes that the Arctic plays a crucial role in the security of Europe as whole;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that strategic competition in the region is re-emerging after a 35 year hiatus and believes that, in order for the Arctic to remain an area of peace and cooperation, a strong commitment of all international actors is vital, particularly with regard to the respect of international law and conventions as well as the exercise of restraint in the military sphere;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Notes the particular geographical situation of the Russian Federation, whose territorial waters and economic zones exceed by far those of all other Arctic states, whose GDP and exports are closely linked to the Arctic. Stresses, in this respect, that Russia’s specific geographic features make it an unavoidable interlocutor, but also give it increased responsibility, which it should take seriously. Urges therefore the Russian Federation to enact its Arctic policies in full respect of international law and by being mindful of the consequences of its actions for the stability and sustainability of the region and of the planet as a whole;
Amendment 194 #
4c. Takes into account, considering the long-term nature of Russia’s confrontation with the West, that the return to the relatively benign geopolitical environment in the Arctic that existed there in the 1990s is unlikely;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Is gravely concerned with the progressive and massive military build-up pursued by the Russian Federation, including the development of anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities; notes, in particular, Russia’s programs aimed at reactivating and rebuilding its sea-based nuclear forces based in the Arctic as well as Russia’s project to expand and upgrade its fleet of icebreakers, some of which are nuclear- powered and will soon be equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles and electronic warfare systems, which associated them rather with military vessels; is also aware that huge investments have been made in Russia’s missile defence systems and the Russian Ministry of Defence has announced over 100 military facilities in the region; six new military bases have been established since 2015 and an additional Air Defence division has been created to ensure that the Northern Sea Route (NSR) is under steady protection; is of the opinion that decision of President Vladimir Putin to upgrade the Northern Fleet into its own military district shows the real intentions of the Kremlin to use the Arctic as a theatre of military confrontation; considers that such a substantial military reinforcement is not justified by the military situation on the ground and significantly exceeds legitimate defensive purposes, thus reflects Russia’s will to achieve strategic military superiority in the region, which is an upsetting factor undermining cooperation and leading to instability and increased risk of confrontation;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses that Russia’s extension of its A2/AD capabilities into the strategic North Atlantic chokepoint at the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom) Gap, combined with the dramatic increase in air and naval patrols and submarine activity in the North Atlantic, as well as the use of electronic warfare tools, which are part of a broader Russian aggressive posture, may lead to the era of the Arctic as a region of low tensions. Recognizes that the Arctic may be used by the Russian Federation to endanger security elsewhere as it happened in the case of the Caspian Sea, which was used to serve Russian operations in Syria and in the case of the Black Sea to project Russia’s power to the Mediterranean region;
Amendment 201 #
5c. Regrets therefore that the Kremlin’s increasing military presence in the region deviates from the 1987 Murmansk Initiative, which aimed at transforming the Arctic in to an international “zone of peace”;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Regrets that Russia, instead of emphasizing the benefits of cooperative engagement, has adopted a much more competitive, even confrontational, perspective on the Arctic, taking the view of the Arctic as a sphere of military, territorial and economic expansion, and an arena for their great-power ambition;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that cooperation with Russia in the Arctic should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement and should not jeopardise the goals of sanctions against Russian actions elsewhereCalls on the Russian Federation to engage in a constructive and mutually beneficial dialogue with all other Arctic states on all issues ranging from the protection of the environment to economic development and military operations. Underlines that cooperation with Russia in the Arctic should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement and should not jeopardise the goals of sanctions and restrictive measures adopted as a result of the Russian government’s actions in other parts of the world and should be coherent with the EU strategy towards the Russian Federation;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that 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 in order to maintain the Arctic as a peaceful land stable region and challenge any idea that the Arctic could be dealt with as a self- contained region, shielded from global geopolitics. In this regard, while Beijing is advancing its interest in the Arctic and projecting power abroad, calls on the EU to take into account China’s aggressive stance on territorial disputes in the South and East China Seas and monitor China’s activities in the region;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the High North falls within SACEUR’s Area of Responsibility, and cooperation with NATO is necessary in order to consult an overarching security concept for the Arctic. With that in mind, welcomes the conclusions of the Reflection Group tasked by NATO Secretary General to undertake a forward-looking reflection process to assess ways to strengthen the political dimension of the NATO Alliance, whereby NATO should enhance its situational awareness across the High North and the Arctic and should develop a strategy that takes into account broader deterrence and defence plans including provisions for addressing aggressive moves by state actors;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Notes that the 2018 Trident Juncture exercise, which demonstrated that NATO is operationally active in the Arctic, especially in the High North (the Norwegian and Barents seas), ensured the highest level of transparency. Calls on all parties who conduct military activities in the Artic to follow such practice in line with international obligations, including the OSCE Vienna Document, thus reducing risks, clarifying possible misunderstandings and building transparency of intentions;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the IMO’s Polar Code and calls for an assessment of its implementation, as well as of that of the standards and obligations under the SOLAS and MARPOL conventions, to ascertain whether they are fully implemented by the entities operating in the Arctic and identify gaps and weaknesses to be further addressed;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Urges a shared responsibility to ensure that polar shipping grows in volume and diversifies in nature over the coming years without compromising either safety of life at sea or the sustainability of the polar environments. In this respect, in addition to the Polar Code, welcomes ships' routing measures aimed at reducing the risks of incidents as well as no-go zones to improve safety of navigation and protect the fragile and unique environment;
Amendment 225 #
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 r. Regrets all efforattempts made by the Russian Federation aimed at closing its navigable Arctic routes; ing at the closure of its Arctic navigation straits to international navigation by designating them as internal waters under its complete sovereign control, by creating regulatory and administrative barriers to foreign navigation along the route and imposing the requirement to obtain Russia’s permission to enter and transit its exclusive economic zone and territorial sea and by failing to set out any express exemption for sovereign immune vessels. Stresses that any measure restricting navigational freedoms should be consistent with UNCLOS and with customary international law. Calls on the Russian Federation and China to comply with the rules codified in UNCLOS, be it in the Arctic or elsewhere, and respect the commitments made by joining in annual calls by the UN General Assembly for States Parties to conform their maritime claims to the UNCLOS;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Climate change in the Arctic
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underlines that the peoples of the Arctic are dramatically experiencing the effects of climate change, and need support and resources to adapt to these profound changes;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Notes with grave concern that the Arctic is warming at a rate three times of the global average, which has dire social, environmental, and economic impact, not only in the region but worldwide;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Recognises Russia’s large numerical advantage in, and China’s build-up of icebreaker programs and encourages Member States and other partner countries to build their own capacities in this regard. Considers that the EU should promote the construction and deployment of more ice-breakers and ice-strengthened ships under an EU flag;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Underlines the need to promote and exchange best practices in terms of search and rescue (SAR) and contribute to the interoperability of SAR units through joint exercises;
Amendment 247 #
9e. Notes that climate change and melting permafrost are having deleterious impacts on the ability to live and work in the region, both have led to the loss or degradation of existing infrastructure, roads, and buildings, as well as a spate of industrial and transportation accidents and also threaten cultural and heritage sites and the way of life of the indigenous peoples;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Calls for an increase in the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, thereby promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and diversifying economic development in the Arctic;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Underscores the importance of promoting the use of renewable energy in remote Arctic communities and encourages further work on innovative energy solutions and related capacity construction in the Arctic aimed at climate change prevention, taking into account the needs of an increasingly electrifying society;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that the Arctic is rich with mineral resources, including vast reserves of rare earth elements –central to the ongoing global digital and low-carbon economic transition as well as new generations of weapon systems. Takes into account that 90% of global rare earth production currently stems from China, which claims its reserves could run out in the next twenty years due to over extraction and assesses it as one of the factors driving Beijing to gain control over the Arctic’s reserves as a way to maintain a domination over rare-earth elements and a dominant position in supply chains of vital resources and key components of emerging technologies. Is of the opinion that the Arctic should play a central role in the European Raw Materials Alliance, boosting Europe’s output of critical minerals and cutting dependence on China for rare earth metals which is a key for further development of green technology and the fight against climate change, which constitutes the main threat to the region. Is of the opinion that decisions of local authorities on excavation of mineral resources should be done transparently, without external pressures and illegal actions, in particular free of corruption, election interference or disinformation campaigns, as those that took place in Greenland in April 2021;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Is of the opinion that Arctic economic development should adhere to international law as well as relevant international conventions and rules, to ensure that all goods are excavated in compliance with the highest environmental standards. In this regard, is highly concerned with the recent environmental catastrophe caused by Norilsk Nickel resulting in the largest ever oil spill in the polar Arctic but also toxic wastewater being pumped from a settling basin into the tundra and other spills that are regularly occurring and yet remain absent from official statistics. Welcomes the court decisions to fine the company but at the same time expresses its concern about restricted access of journalists and experts to the crash sites and calls on the Russian authorities to build transparent and effective procedures to report and track such environmental disasters. Regrets that such accidents often occur on the lands of Indigenous People, which leads to the loss of ability to continue their traditional way of live. Calls on the EU to support environmentalists and journalists investigating such cases and to use its own resources, such as Copernicus, to track such pollutions in the Arctic and conduct a thorough assessment about ecological and human consequences of only profit-oriented exploitation;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF agreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step towardsto achieve sustainable development and tackle the problems of the Arctic;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls for the establishment of a special Investment Platform which would facilitate closer economic cooperation between EU and Arctic economies;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. As a general rule, welcomes the approach taken by the 2018 Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, according to which the exploitation of natural resources should take place only where there is reasonable certainty not to cause any harm to the environment;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Notes that the EU receives a large share of its fish imports from the Arctic and is aware of the ongoing geo-economic rivalry around fisheries, which is increasing inter alia because of the depletion of fish stocks in some areas and their migration to other areas, partially driven by climate change;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Underlines the importance to implement a precautionary approach at all stages of Arctic fisheries and encourages a sustainable, scientific based approach instead of a profit-driven competition between countries;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. IStresses that the exploration and exploitation of natural resources in the Arctic should comply with stringent environmental standards and calls for the establishment of strict requirements for exploring and exploiting new hydrocarbon reserves in the region. In this respect, is concerned by the persistent intention of the Russian Federation and China to pursue far-reaching and highly impactful exploitation projects without appropriate assessment of their environmental impacts;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Regrets that Russian companies continue to cut back their investment in environmental protection and production facilities to a bare minimum to obtain the maximum profit in the shortest term possible, resulting in persistent emission of toxic substances into the atmosphere that has devastated not only the environment but also most of the Arctic towns, such as Norilsk, making them among the world’s most polluted cities;
Amendment 302 #
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 choices; the importance of consulting indigenous communities on policies concerning the Arctic. Notes that human life in the Arctic has been long characterized by poverty, low life expectancy and very limited human and economic development. Welcomes the improvements brought by modernization, however reminds that in most Nordic countries Arctic averages remain worse than national averages. Is aware of the impact of modernization on the traditional lifestyle and habits of indigenous peoples and consequently; reiterates its call to actively involve all the inhabitants of the Arctic, and particularly indigenous peoples, in decision-making processes concerning development choices; In this respect, strongly supports the full and effective implementation of Article 19 UNDRIP, especially as regards the need to obtain the indigenous peoples’ free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative or administrative measures that may affect them;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Emphasises the role the Arctic plays with climatological as well as a geographical competitive advantage in digital connectivity between North America, Europe and Asia as well as location centres for data storage. New digital highways through extended fibre optic cable system and infrastructure should also enable better digital connectivity for Arctic communities as well as healthcare support and social services (e.g. telehealth services), online education, and an overall easier access to the global economy;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Notes that increasing human activity in the region, including growing tourism, raises serious concerns relating to human security, particularly in the context of harsh weather conditions and limited search and rescue (SAR) capabilities; is of the opinion that international cooperation as well as close partnership between the military, public and non-governmental sectors are essential in order to provide adequate civilian protection in the region;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Regrets the Kremlin’s efforts to subordinate civil society, which is having a very negative impact on indigenous peoples, by limiting the autonomy of their representations and partnerships on international foras, blocking access to external funds. Similar problems affects other NGOs, including environmental activists;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15d. Regrets that while the region’s vast stores of natural resources already account for about one-fifth of Russia’s GDP, the current policy of the Russian Federation uses the Arctic as the primary source of financing for its aggressive policies, transferring money to occupied Crimea instead of improving environmental standards or living conditions of Arctic inhabitants;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. States that all activities in the Arctic Region including the exploitation of the Arctic’s resources, should respect the rights of Indigenous peoples and benefit local inhabitants; advocates, in this regard, for a stronger link between businesses operating in the Arctic and local communities and supports the implementation of standards such as the Arctic Investment Protocol and the UN Global Compact Initiative;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5 a (new)
Subheading 5 a (new)
Science and knowledge
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Underlines the important contributions from EU and its member states in Polar science and the importance of knowledge as a fundament for political decisions and sustainable development in the Arctic;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Reiterates the call from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region to strengthen the knowledge base and improve scientific cooperation with a new International Polar Year Initiative;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Notes that the Arctic offers huge potential for innovation and sustainable use of resources, which can be thereafter implemented globally, being a test-bed for geothermal, wind and hydro projects, the carbon-free production of steel, greener battery production and others;
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Is worried by reports that bacteria released by thawing permafrost release climate damaging carbon but also together with viruses may poses a serious health threat to animals and also humans;
Amendment 331 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Calls for more visibility and coordination of Arctic-oriented research and innovation, including in Horizon Europe;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recognises the validity of the three founding pillars of the integrated EU policy for the Arctic, namely climate change, sustainable development and international cooperation; is of the opinion that the EU is uniquely well-placed to help coordinate and complement Member States’ Arctic policies and therefore stresses the need for more coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies as regards Arctic matters and urges the EU to include an Arctic dimension wherever appropriate in its sectoral policies;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also reflect new security realities; is of the opinion that the EU should engage with and new actors such as China; such an updated comprehensive policy, based on consensus among all EU Member states, will both increase EU’s position as a global actor but will also serve the interests of EU citizens, predominantly those living in the Arctic, and of the indigenous people in particular; is of the opinion that the EU as a global actor should react to the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and continue to play its role as an accepted and credible actor in the Arctic, respecting the unique set of existing Arctic consultative fora and successful governance framework mechanisms. Believes that the EU may serve as a bridge between the security community and an array of longstanding Arctic stakeholders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Is of the opinion that the process of consultation of the new EU Arctic policy should be used to assess the effectiveness of the EU current policies;
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Strongly believes that the European Green Deal provides a much- needed long-term response to the growing challenges of climate change through an amplified investment agenda for sustainable growth and will contribute significantly to the solution of the EU’s strategic energy dependence. With that in mind, calls for the integration of the EU Arctic policy dimension into the European Green Deal and the EU Strategic Agenda for 2019-2024;
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Stresses the need for the EU and its Member States to entertain constructive relations with Arctic states in the framework of the Arctic Council, the Northern Dimension, the Barents Euro- Arctic Council and other bodies involved in cooperation in the High North. In addition, underlines the need for the EU to keep engaging with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, who are at the forefront of the climatic and economic changes affecting the region, and supports their enhanced involvement in the works of the Arctic Council. Reiterates the EU’s commitment to pursue its Annual Arctic Indigenous Peoples’ Dialogue and its support for the UNDRIP and, in particular, Article 19 thereof;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Is of the opinion that greater coordination at EU level, as well as consultations with EEA countries, U.S., Canada and also U.K., Japan, Republic of Korea, India, and other partners committed to securing peaceful cooperation and freedom of navigation in the Arctic and to make the most of possible synergies, serves as the best reply to growing Sino-Russian cooperation in the Arctic. Takes note of the US’s Arctic Security Initiative (ASI) and Canada’s Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and encourages the EU to partner with its like-minded allies where appropriate to ensure proper coordination in the region; in this regard calls for a robust EU-Arctic Dialogue in support of implementation of the EU policy towards the Arctic;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Supports the efforts to strengthen resilience from potential pressure coming from China or other actors who do not prioritize extraction of minerals in environmentally friendly and sustainable way respecting international norms and United Nations Conventions. Calls on Stratcom Task Force to monitor campaigns aimed at influencing decision making processes on extractions of minerals undertaken in the region;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls for more regular exchanges of view on Arctic issues at the level of Political and Security Committee and during Council meetings and as an important area of EU-NATO consultations;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Calls for more visibility of the EU in the Arctic, considering together with Danish authorities possibility of establishment of EU offices in Greenland and the Faroe Islands;
Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Urges the EU to implement an ambitious, forward-looking and environmentally sustainable investment plan for the Arctic, by increasing funding in key areas such as scientific research and by allocating more Horizon 2020 funding to Arctic research, development and innovation (RDI), space, digital and transport infrastructure, space technologies, sustainable shipping, sustainable extraction and processing of raw materials, renewable energy and other low-carbon activities and tourism;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Recommends that Member States consider to create new Permanent Structured Cooperation projects, for example concentrated on search and rescue or environmental response, that aim to enhance the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) capabilities in the Arctic; encourage the EU and Member States to perform exercises simulating how the Civil Protection Mechanism may be broadly implemented in the Arctic;
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23c. Is of the opinion that more visible, strategic and integrated EU policy is needed, in this regard welcomes appointment in September 2017, an ‘EU Ambassador at Large for the Arctic’; however, calls for more coordination in Arctic policies at the level of the Commission in close cooperation with EEAS, and advises to create an Arctic portfolio in the hands of one of the Vice Presidents of the Commission;
Amendment 408 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23d. Takes the view that the EU Maritime Strategy should be updated to reflect new opportunities and challenges. Similar assessments and reviews should be carried out as regards other EU policies, including the EU space policy, to asses expanding existing satellite programmes to cover the Arctic region’s specific needs, including the use Copernicus to track pollution;
Amendment 409 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 e (new)
Paragraph 23 e (new)
23e. Is of the opinion that the new EU Arctic policy should be used more broadly as an opportunity to increase awareness and engagement among EU citizens, academia and businesses on Arctic issues; calls for the creation of a single-Arctic portal covering all Arctic initiatives and activities of EU institutions;