2020/2112(INI) The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges
Lead committee dossier:
Progress: Procedure completed
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | AFET |
FOTYGA Anna ( ECR)
|
KOKALARI Arba ( EPP),
SCHIEDER Andreas ( S&D),
PAET Urmas ( Renew),
ALAMETSÄ Alviina ( Verts/ALE),
VILLANUEVA RUIZ Idoia ( GUE/NGL)
|
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54
Legal Basis:
RoP 54Subjects
Events
2021/10/07
EP - Decision by Parliament
Details
The European Parliament adopted by 506 votes to 36, with 140 abstentions, a resolution on the Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges.
International cooperation
Parliament recalled thatthe Arctic is of strategic and political importance to the EU. It underlined the EU’s commitment to being a responsible actor, seeking the long-term sustainable and peaceful development of the region by fully cooperating with international partners. It is crucial that all stakeholders, including the EU and its Member States, act to maintain peaceful and intense international and regional cooperation, scientific research, prosperity and low tensions in the Arctic, as well as to respond to the very alarming effects and consequences of climate change in the region.
The EU should contribute to strengthened multilateral governance in the Arctic , promote sustainable use of resources and protect and preserve the Arctic, together with its people. The EU's Arctic policy should include new actors such as China and consider the security dimension.
While recognising the sovereign status of the Arctic states and their sovereign rights under international law, the resolution stressed that the EU's capacity to provide solutions to potential security challenges should be fully exploited and that global, regional and local fora are needed for dialogue on the security needs of the region.
Climate change
Concerned by the IPCC's findings that global warming has led to widespread shrinking of the cryosphere in recent decades, with a mass loss of ice caps and glaciers, Members urged the EU to take a leading role in work to build an ambitious climate action plan for the Arctic . EU policies should ensure that the interests of the people of the Arctic region, including indigenous peoples, in protecting and developing the region.
Sustainable development and exploitation of strategic resources
The resolution emphasised the sustainable and scientific exploitation of energy resources in the Arctic and stressed the need for a strengthened policy on domestically produced renewable energy and energy efficiency that will significantly reduce the EU's dependence on external sources and thus improve its security position.
In view of the environmental risk posed by the exploitation of oil and gas in the Arctic, Parliament called for strict requirements to be introduced for the exploration and exploitation of new hydrocarbon reserves in the region. It expressed concern about attempts, notably by Russia and private companies in other countries, to pursue large-scale development projects without assessing their environmental impact.
Funding
Noting that the EU has been a major financial contributor to Arctic research through programmes such as Horizon 2020, Parliament stressed the need to increase EU funding for Arctic research and development. It also called for an ambitious investment plan for the Arctic.
Indigenous people
The circumpolar Arctic is home to over four million people, including over 40 different indigenous peoples and local communities and half a million EU citizens. The EU’s only recognised indigenous people, the Sami people, live in the Arctic regions of Finland and Sweden, as well as Norway and Russia. Recognising that the effects of melting ice and milder temperatures are displacing indigenous populations and thereby threatening the indigenous way of life, the resolution stressed that the EU should pursue policies that ensure that measures to address environmental concerns take into account the interests of the inhabitants of the Arctic region, including its indigenous peoples, in protecting and developing the region. There is a need to ensure the preservation of indigenous peoples’ cultures, traditions and languages by establishing capacity building programmes to increase awareness about the diversity, history and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Russia and China
Parliament expressed its regret at the Russian Government’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 in international forums, blocking access to external funds. It is also concerned about the progressive Russian military build-up in the Arctic, which it considers to be unjustified as it significantly exceeds legitimate defensive purposes.
Parliament considered that the inclusion of the Arctic by China in its economic development programmes, with the aspiration of integrating the Arctic’s Northern Sea Route into its Belt and Road Initiative (as a ‘Polar Silk Road’), needs to be closely observed by the EU. It also expressed concern over China’s investment attempts in the seaports along the Northern Sea Route and its attempts to obtain mining rights. The Arctic is also expected to play a central role in the European raw materials alliance , boosting European production of key minerals and reducing dependence on China for rare earth metals.
More EU in the Arctic, more Arctic in the EU
Parliament considered that the EU, as a global player, should engage in active political dialogue, react to the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and continue to play its role as an accepted and credible actor in the region. The resolution noted that the best reply to growing Sino-Russian cooperation in the Arctic is greater coordination at EU level. Moreover, the Commission is called on to set up a working group covering all issues related to Northern Europe and the Arctic. The Arctic should also be given a more prominent place in Parliament, including through the creation of a specific interparliamentary delegation.
Documents
2021/10/05
EP - Debate in Parliament
Documents
2021/08/04
EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
Documents
2021/08/04
EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Documents
2021/07/01
EP - Vote in committee
2021/05/11
EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2021/04/19
EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2020/09/17
EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2020/04/02
EP - FOTYGA Anna (ECR) appointed as rapporteur in AFET
Documents
- Decision by Parliament: T9-0413/2021
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A9-0239/2021
- Committee report tabled for plenary: A9-0239/2021
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE680.908
- Committee draft report: PE680.907
- Committee draft report: PE680.907
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE680.908
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A9-0239/2021
Activities
- Anna FOTYGA
Plenary Speeches (2)
- Jytte GUTELAND
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Jan ZAHRADIL
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Pierre KARLESKIND
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Idoia VILLANUEVA RUIZ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Karen MELCHIOR
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Erik BERGKVIST
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Pernille WEISS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- Alviina ALAMETSÄ
Plenary Speeches (1)
Votes
L'Arctique: perspectives, problématiques et enjeux de sécurité - The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges - Die Arktis: Chancen, Bedenken und Sicherheitsherausforderungen - A9-0239/2021 - Anna Fotyga - Considérant L - Am 1 #
2021/10/06 Outcome: +: 448, -: 229, 0: 10
PPE
ID
The Left
NIL'Arctique: perspectives, problématiques et enjeux de sécurité - The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges - Die Arktis: Chancen, Bedenken und Sicherheitsherausforderungen - A9-0239/2021 - Anna Fotyga - Proposition de résolution (ensemble du texte) #
2021/10/06 Outcome: +: 506, 0: 140, -: 36
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 409 |
2020/2112(INI)
2021/05/11
AFET
409 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 8 a (new) — having regard to the Agreement adopted in Paris at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC of 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 24 a (new) — having regard to the establishment of the Council of the Baltic Sea Region (CBSS) and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC),
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution 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 101 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K a (new) Ka. whereas over the last seven years, the EU has mobilized over 200 million euros into Arctic research;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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) 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) 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 106 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas the Russian
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 24 b (new) — having regard to the report of the Arctic Stakeholder Forum consultation to identify key investment priorities in the Arctic and ways to better streamline future EU funding programmes for the region from 21 December 2017,
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L L. whereas
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution 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 112 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L a (new) La. whereas France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Italy – observers to the Arctic Council – show a substantial involvement in the Arctic and strong interest in future dialogue and cooperation with the Arctic Council; whereas Estonia has applied to become an observer to the Arctic Council;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L a (new) La. whereas in the past the Arctic region has been relatively unaffected by global geopolitical conflicts; whereas the geopolitical interest in the Arctic by Arctic and non-Arctic actors is increasing, creating a new military dynamic in the Arctic region;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L a (new) La. whereas Russia’s economic and military investments in the Arctic far exceed those of the rest of the Arctic states;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Recital L b (new) Lb. whereas Iceland and Norway, as engaged and reliable partners, are associated with the EU through the EEA and the Schengen Agreements;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas the military importance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing due to the
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution 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, including modernization of its Northern Fleet, provision of new submarines and nuclear- powered heavy icebreakers, reopening of former Soviet-era Arctic outposts and building new military structures equipped with combat ready radars and missile systems stretching from the Barents Sea to the Bering Straits, significantly increasing the likelihood of military confrontation in the region;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution 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 confrontation in the region; whereas Russia’s growing military footprint in the Arctic region is followed by increased Russian naval and air patrols, booming submarine activity and electronic warfare tactics;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas the
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 — having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, in Brussels, in November 2017, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas the
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution 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 122 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas the military importance as well as the geopolitical strategic importance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing, also due to the progressive and steady re-militarisation of the Russian Federation
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M M. whereas
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. whereas Russia is mobilising its infrastructure and increasing its military presence rapidly by rebuilding its military capabilities; whereas Russia is refurbishing Soviet-era airfields and radar installations, constructing new ports and search-and-rescue centres, and building up its fleet of nuclear- and conventionally-powered icebreakers; whereas Russia is developing new high- tech weapons and a nuclear reactor powered torpedo;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution 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 126 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. whereas Russian officials explicitly reject the need for a NATO presence in the Arctic and have explicitly stated that Russia would feel threatened by an extension of NATO's role in the Arctic, including NATO’s potential enlargement to or increased cooperation with Finland and Sweden;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M a (new) Ma. whereas Russia is taking unilateral actions to tighten the control of the Northern Sea Route along its Arctic coastline;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M b (new) Mb. whereas the conversion of the Arctic into a security problem is linked to its commercial interest and this is contrary to the fight against climate change; whereas it is not possible to try to curb climate change and at the same time increase militarisation to seize resources that would be accessible due to a climate emergency and tragedy;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution 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 13 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 — having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Recital M b (new) Mb. whereas such geopolitical developments have led to an increase in exercises, deployments, patrols, and capability investments in the Arctic;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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) 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) 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 135 #
Motion for a resolution 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 136 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N N. whereas China has released its first White Paper on Arctic Policy in January 2018 and engaged in a long-term effort to enhance its position in the Arctic, declaring itself a ‘near-Arctic state’
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution 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 138 #
Motion for a resolution 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’
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution 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 14 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 — having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N a (new) Na. whereas the European Union's broad spectrum of regional competences, expert knowledge and existing initiatives can serve as a framework for joint projects;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N a (new) Na. whereas the Arctic region has a vast reserve of rare earth minerals; whereas 90% of global rare earth production currently stems from China;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution 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 143 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N b (new) Nb. whereas the EU and United Kingdom in 2019 imported one-fourth of Arctic states energy exports, including 87% of LNG from the Russian Arctic;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N c (new) Nc. whereas the EU and United Kingdom in 2018 imported 69% of gold, 51% of nickel, 48% of titanium, 46% of cobalt, 93% of vanadium and 35% of iron from the Arctic states;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N d (new) Nd. whereas the EU in 2019/2020 imported 62% of Norwegian, 27% of Faroese, 53% of Icelandic and 63% of Greenlandic fish exports;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Recital N e (new) Ne. whereas the EU Arctic Forum in Umeå, Sweden, in 2019 was a joint undertaking in strengthening cooperation between the EU and a broad range of Arctic stakeholders;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1. Considers that the Arctic plays a crucial role in keeping the environmental balance of the planet and
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 1.
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution 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 150 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 151 #
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 intense international
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution 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, prosperity and international cooperation;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Is deeply concerned at the effects of climate change on the sustainability of the lives of the indigenous peoples in the region, in terms of both the general environment (melting ice cap and permafrost, rising sea levels and flooding) and the natural habitat (the retreating icecap poses problems for polar bears' feeding habits), and underlines that any international decisions relating to these issues must fully involve and take account of all peoples and nations of the Arctic;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Is concerned by the deep and lasting potential economic and social consequences for Egypt of a significant decrease of its revenues due to the avoidance of the Suez Canal route in case of a massive development of the Arctic route;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Is highly concerned with the continuing melting of the Arctic as a direct result of climate change; stresses that according to some estimates, without action to mitigate human sources of greenhouse gas emissions, the Arctic ocean could be ice-free during the summer months before 2050;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 b (new) 1b. Acknowledges that the EU, like other developed areas of the world, contributes substantially to climate change and hence bears special responsibility and must play a leading role in combating climate change; recognises the disproportionately large Arctic warming impact caused by black carbon emissions from the EU and other regions in the northern hemisphere;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 c (new) 1c. Stresses that the climate change is a threat multiplier, which exacerbates existing trends, tensions and instability; highlights that the risks are not just of a humanitarian nature; they also include political and security risks in a fragile multilateral order; highlights that EU is in a unique position to respond to the impacts of the climate change on international security, given its role in development and global climate policy and the wide array of tools and instruments at its disposal;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 d (new) 1d. Notes that climate change is having and will continue to have geopolitical implications, namely, stoking political tensions and intensifying geopolitical instability; urges the European Union to take immediate action to fight against climate change as enshrined in the European Green Deal;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution 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 160 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 e (new) 1e. Expresses deep concern at the findings of the IPCC special report on Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, according to which over the last decades global warming has led to widespread shrinking of the cryosphere, with mass loss from ice sheets and glaciers, reductions in snow cover and Arctic sea ice extent and thickness, and increased permafrost; is highly concerned about the public health and security consequences of permafrost thawing laying bare bacteria and viruses that have been dormant for centuries or millennia;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 f (new) 1f. Is concerned that economic interests could guide EU action in the Arctic, to the detriment of climate action; insists that the environmental consequences of disasters in the Arctic are likely to be worse than in other areas; insists that the pursuit of economic business cannot be prioritised if it derives from climate degradation, particularly when it comes to the commercial exploitation of oil and gas reserves or of the benefits of the transport routes despite the insecurity and difficulties thereof;
Amendment 162 #
1g. Stresses that the EU should pursue policies that ensure that measures to address environmental concerns take into account the interests of the inhabitants of the Arctic region, including its indigenous peoples, in protecting and developing the region;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 h (new) 1h. Recalls that indigenous peoples are active agents of environmental conservation; recalls that the IPCC recognises that indigenous peoples and local communities play a critical role in stewarding and safeguarding the environment and preventing climate change, and that strengthening their rights is a crucial solution in the context of the climate crisis; calls for greater international support for indigenous peoples’ collective rights to land, territories and resources, which would contribute to limiting global warming and biodiversity loss;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 1 i (new) 1i. Stresses that the Arctic is losing biodiversity at an alarming rate, and expresses deep concern in relation to the findings of the IPBES Global Assessment Report; underscores that biodiversity loss is not only due to climate change, but also ocean mining, which the IPBES notes is likely to expand in the Arctic region as it melts;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Notes
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Notes, however, that interest in the Arctic and its resources is growing because
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution 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 scarcity,
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Notes
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Stresses that conflict over resources, economic damage and risk to coastal cities and critical infrastructure, loss of territory and border disputes, environmentally induced migration, tension over energy supply and the pressure on international governance are the main issues at stake;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 a (new) — having regard to the European Parliament’s Joint Motion for Resolution on “on the international treaty for the protection of the Arctic”, withdrawn by the Commission given serious objections by both the Council and the Commission representatives taking part in the discussion,
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution 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 171 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Emphasises that the Arctic states hold the primary responsibility for tackling issues within their territories; points, however, also to the fact that external forces have a key impact on current and future challenges of the region; 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;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution 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 primary legal framework for Arctic governance; calls on the United States to ratify UNCLOS;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution 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 175 #
Motion for a resolution 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 and decision- making platforms such as the Arctic Council, The Conference of Arctic Parliamentarians, The Barents Euro- Arctic-Council, the Northern Dimension, the United Nations;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution 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 177 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Highlights that despite increased tensions and heightened military activities in the Arctic region, all Arctic States are interested in continued cooperation in the region and should continue to focus on diplomacy and cooperation; stresses that efforts must be made to avoid an increased military presence in the Arctic and to develop security cooperation in the area so as to maintain the Arctic as a region of low tension;
Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in promoting the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, Minamata Convention, Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, Gothenburg Protocol, Stockholm Convention, the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), Århus Convention and Convention on Biological Diversity;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Further emphasizes that the comprehensive governance model based on international law has benefited all Arctic states and the region as a whole, and has provided predictability and stability in the region; underlines that the existing regional structures foster trust and cooperation between Arctic states;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 a (new) Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Urges cooperation with the Arctic states and responsible international organizations to harmonize the legal system applicable to the Arctic and avoid unilateral disruptive actions by the Arctic states to enact domestic regulations over the international norms;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. 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 182 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Stresses that due to the multitude of complex and intertwined issues concerning economic, environmental and security development of the Arctic, the region’s security needs global, regional and local stages for dialogue, and should be explored without prejudice;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution 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 184 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 2 Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution 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;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Highlights that
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution 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 188 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Highlights that the prospect of Arctic militarisation carries substantial security risks in and beyond the region; notes that
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 a (new) — having regard to the statement from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region 13- 14 April 2021,
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Notes with concern that the Arctic has lost its exceptional character as a zone of peace and cooperation; notes that over the past three years numerous states have published new Arctic strategy documents reflecting a significant shift in content by focussing on hard power security concerns; calls on the EU to initiate an expert dialogue on Arctic military security as a substitute for the Chiefs of Defence meetings that were suspended in 2014;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Welcomes that the stability of the Arctic has long remained relatively unaffected by conflicts in other areas of the world; considers it important to ensure that any military activity in the Arctic is carried out in a way that promotes security and stability in the region; calls on the Arctic States to reduce any tensions by ensuring predictability and transparency with regard to such activity;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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 195 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Urges the Russian Federation to
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Urges the Russian Federation to enact its Arctic policies in full respect of international law
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution 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 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 9 — having regard to the Council conclusions of 8 December 2009 on Arctic issues, of 12 May 2014 on developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region, of 20 June 2016 on the Arctic, of 21 November 2019 on Space Solutions for a sustainable Arctic and of 9 December 2019 on the EU Arctic policy,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 a (new) — having regard to the statement from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region 13- 14 April 2021,
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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 6.
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6.
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution 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 elsewhere; notes that the Arctic Council should be seen as a platform to maintain and continue open dialogue with Russia on matters of importance also for the EU;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Underlines that constructive cooperation with Russia in the Arctic should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement, also in the areas of climate and environment, and should not jeopardise the goals of
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Underlines that cooperation with Russia in the Arctic
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Underlines that cooperation with Russia in the Arctic
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution 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-
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 a (new) — having regards to the Commission’s Communication on Critical Raw Materials Resilience of September 2020,
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Considers that the
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7.
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Considers that the inclusion of the Arctic by China in its economic development program
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution 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 216 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Underlines that China violates the law of the sea in the South China Sea, and therefore lacks credibility when claiming that it wants to protect international law in the Arctic; highlights that China's interest in Arctic research, investments in infrastructure, and investments in new icebreakers are reminiscent of how the country operates in other parts of the world;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Expresses concerns over China’s investment attempts in the seaports along the Northern Sea Route and to obtain mining rights, inter alia, as a way to establish its presence in the Arctic, and urges the Arctic states to carry out a thorough screening of foreign investments in their objects of strategic importance;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution 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 219 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Emphasises the importance of the UNCLOS as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, including in the Arctic, as well as the international bodies established under the UNCLOS, including the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS); underlines the EU’s role in promoting international law, international ocean governance and a rules-based order;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 b (new) — having regard to the Commission’s Communication on Critical Raw Materials Resilience: Charting a Path towards greater Security and Sustainability,
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution 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 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 222 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Welcomes the adoption of IMO’s Polar Code
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution 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 224 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Notes with concern that the North Shipping Route, fuelled by climate change that is rapidly shrinking the northern ice cap, has become an arena of growing competition;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Insists that it is crucial that the right of innocent passage of foreign ships through territorial seas be preserved
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Insists that it is crucial that
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Insists that it is crucial that the right of innocent passage of foreign ships through territorial seas be preserved
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Insists that it is crucial that the right of innocent passage of foreign ships through territorial seas be preserved
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Insists that it is crucial that the right of innocent passage of foreign ships through territorial seas be preserved and
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 b (new) — having regard to the 2019 strategic note of the European Political Strategy Centre on a balanced Arctic Strategy for the EU,
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Highlights that the EU can contribute its expertise in the area of maritime security and safety, with capabilities and awareness of shipping and navigation; acknowledges that there is already significant cross-border cooperation on search and rescue operations; encourages the EU to enhance its contributions to emergency prevention, preparedness and disaster response, within the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Calls on the Commission to initiate negotiations with the Arctic states - including Russia - to guarantee freedom of navigation and right of passage and ensure that no discriminatory practices are followed, especially as regards charges, compulsory services and rules and regulations, so as to ensure the viability and environmental sustainability of new shipping routes;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Stresses the need to invest into infrastructure projects in the European Arctic and strengthen regional cohesion policy to support capacity-building;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution 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 235 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Stresses that the protection of the environment and the management of man-made pollution should be a key objective in the Arctic; discourages the exploitation of Arctic resources if it is scientifically proven to cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem of the Arctic and beyond;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Underlines the need for enhancing maritime surveillance and information sharing in the Arctic region; supports further investments in space monitoring and navigation, through the Copernicus and Galileo satellite networks, as well as in-situ information from the Environment Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) in order to improve emergency response, safe navigation and knowledge of climate change;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Emphasises the role of EU and its Member States to help to prevent and resolve conflicts in the Arctic, help build civilian security mechanisms, enhance crisis management capacities and search and rescue infrastructures;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution 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 24 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 c (new) — having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal, and the resolution of the European Parliament of 15 January 2020,
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 c (new) 9c. Stresses the strategic importance of the submarine cables of telecommunications in the North Atlantic that provide over 95% of international telecommunications; reiterates the importance of strengthened transatlantic cooperation in protecting and ensuring the respect of the international instruments that govern submarine cables, including UNCLOS;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution 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 242 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 3 a (new) Challenges and long-term consequences due to changing climate conditions
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution 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 244 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 d (new) 9d. Underlines the significant changes to the climate and environment of the Arctic region; urges the EU to address global emission mitigation globally and through the Green Deal, as well as by supporting local innovative initiatives relevant to the Arctic;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution 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 246 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 e (new) 9e. Supports international cooperation efforts on research in the Arctic, such as the conclusion and implementation of the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation; highlights important contributions from the EU and its Member States in Polar science, which will be necessary to understand the global and local effects of climate change; highlights the EU’s contributions to Arctic research through the Horizon 2020 programme;
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 248 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 f (new) 9f. Welcomes strengthened international cooperation in the area of science, knowledge and innovation with an Arctic dimension and the active EU participation in the cooperation between Arctic ministers of science;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 25 d (new) — having regard to its resolution of 28 November 2019 on the climate and environment emergency,
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Underlines the importance of the Arctic for EU energy security, strongly insists on a sustainable science-based exploitation of the energy resources;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Underlines the
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Highlights the need for an enhanced policy of EU-generated renewable energies and energy efficiency that significantly reduces the Union's reliance on external sources and thereby improves its security position; recognizes the threat which oil and gas exploitation in the Arctic might cause;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Is very concerned over the ongoing race for natural resources in the Arctic; underlines the contradiction between making oil and gas a source of dispute and conflict when the European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution 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 255 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 b (new) 10b. Notes the increased accessibility of the enormous hydrocarbon resources in the Arctic region is changing the geo- strategic dynamics of the region with potential consequences for international stability; calls on the States in the region to resolve any current or future conflicts over access to natural resources in the Arctic by way of a constructive dialogue, possibly within the Artic Council;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution 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 257 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 b (new) 10b. Stresses the need to fight climate change by keeping to the goals of the European Green Deal and becoming climate neutral by 2050 following the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 c (new) 10c. Stresses that all economic activities in the Arctic should be sustainable and take into consideration their environmental impact, in particular on climate change, and their social implications; stresses the need for further promotion of sustainable regional development for the benefit of those living in the Arctic, low-carbon activities, knowledge and circular economy;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 d (new) 10d. Stresses that because of long distances, sparsely populated areas, harsh climate and demographic imbalances, increasing connectivity, accessibility and integration of communities through investment in information and communications technologies and transport infrastructures (on rail, sea, land and air) is crucial to improve productivity and trade within and beyond the Arctic; better transport and broadband connectivity will also enhance opportunities for cross-border labour, student mobility and further extension of cross;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution 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 260 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. 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
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution 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 264 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Underlines that the sustainable and strategic use of Arctic natural resources should be accompanied by the development of a key northern transport passage that contributes to greener transition; notes that specifically new Northern rail links would stimulate the economies of the Northern and Baltic States and improve market access in the North-South dimension; calls therefore on the Commission to address Northern transport issues and identify opportunities in the context of the Northern Dimension Partnership for Transport and Logistics (NDPTL); underlines that better links are needed within the Northern Dimension (ND) region to reduce remoteness and ensure connectivity in response to the global development;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Underlines that the European Arctic plays an important role for the EU raw material supply, with essential resources, technology and know-how needed to achieve a green transition; notes that most of the EU critical raw materials are located in the Arctic, which, if managed in a proper and sustainable way, could strengthen the EU's strategic independence;
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Emphasises the usefulness of place-based instruments such as smart specialisation strategies and territorial cooperation for tailoring sustainable investments in the Arctic and believes these EU policies should be further developed and linked to the EU Arctic Policy;
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Welcomes the work of the Arctic Council in tackling pollution in the Arctic and calls on the EU to play an active role and provide assistance in this regard;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 b (new) 11b. Calls for an increase in the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, thereby promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and diversify economic development and 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 269 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 b (new) 11b. Welcomes initiatives in the European Arctic on sustainable mining and reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the world’s first fossil free iron production, the HYBRIT project, taking into account an increasing demand for steel and the needs of an increasingly electrifying society;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas since the end of the Cold War, the Arctic has been a
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 b (new) 11b. Encourages cooperation with the Arctic states in developing rapid response systems for the real-time management of environmental disasters, in particular oil spills;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 c (new) 11c. Notes the role of the private sector in developing sustainable solutions for the Arctic; calls on the Commission to support European companies’ investments in key sectors like renewable energy production, logistics and the development of the power grid; investment opportunities under the EU’s investment and funding instruments should be identified in order to facilitate European companies access to the Arctic market;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 c (new) 11c. Highlights the importance of trade and investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and economic development in the Arctic with closer cooperation between government, academia and business; calls on the EU to reduce technical barriers of trade, strengthen its cooperation with business representatives, and encourages further support to the Arctic Economic Council (AEC);
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 d (new) 11d. Underlines the importance of Arctic research in the fields pertaining to sustainable development. Underlines the important contributions from EU and its Member States in Polar science and the importance of knowledge as fundamental for political decisions and sustainable development in the Arctic. Notes that the EU has been a major financier of Arctic research through programmes like Horizon 2020; stresses the need to increase the EU Arctic R&D funding;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12.
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF agreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF agreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step towards
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAO
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution 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 281 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Underlines the importance of taking a precautionary approach to Arctic fisheries, at all stages, and
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Underlines the importance
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Underlines the importance
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution 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;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Underlines the importance of taking precautionary approach to Arctic fisheries, at all stages,
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Underlines the importance of taking precautionary approach to (sub-)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 287 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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) 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 29 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas since the end of the Cold War, the Arctic has been a zone of peace and international cooperation, and the goal of the international community
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. 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; underlines the importance of abiding to regulatory standards;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Is concerned by the persistent intention of the Russian Federation
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Is concerned by the persistent but different intentions of the Russian Federation and China to pursue far- reaching and highly impactful exploitation projects without appropriate assessment of their environmental impacts;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Recognises that the effects of the melting ice and milder temperatures are not only displacing indigenous populations and thereby threatening the indigenous way of life; acknowledges the wish of the inhabitants and governments of the Arctic region with sovereign rights and responsibilities to continue to pursue sustainable economic development while at the same time protecting traditional sources of the indigenous peoples' livelihood and the very sensitive nature of the Arctic ecosystems, taking into account their experience in using and developing the various resources of the region in a sustainable way;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Notes that Russian and Chinese national interests are to develop the North Sea Route as a means to boost economic growth and as a globally competitive national transport network; notes the development of large-scale energy projects, such as the current Russian- Chinese cooperation on the Yamal LNG project and the Arctic LNG 2, is concerned that such projects significantly increase shipping volumes via the North Sea Route and imply substantial pressure on an already threatened Arctic ecosystem;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution 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 299 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Expresses its satisfaction with the US administration’s decision to impose a moratorium on the granting of new concessions for oil and gas drilling in Arctic Alaska; strongly encourages the United States to convert this moratorium into a permanent ban;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution 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 30 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution 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 301 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 b (new) 14b. Recalls the significant US military presence in the Arctic region, particularly on the Thule Air Base in Greenland;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15.
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates its call to actively involve all the communities and inhabitants of the Arctic, and particularly indigenous peoples, in the decision
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Reiterates its call to actively involve all the inhabitants of the Arctic, who hold local and practical knowledge, and particularly indigenous peoples, in decision-making processes concerning development choices;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15.
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution 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 308 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Acknowledges that there is under- investment in the Arctic region; believes that the EU can contribute to the economic, social and sustainable development to the benefit of the Arctic communities, in particular in energy, transport and infrastructure; considers that the Arctic regions are home to innovative industries essential to a sustainable development; notes the potentials in the on-going process of establishing an Arctic Investment Platform in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution 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 31 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A A. whereas
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Stresses that policy options must respect the indigenous populations and their livelihoods;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution 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 312 #
Motion for a resolution 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 313 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 b (new) 15b. Is concerned that the melting of the Arctic’s ice cap, while increasing the region’s geopolitical and geo-economic importance, significantly exacerbates its environmental fragility and threatens the traditional way of life of the indigenous population;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution 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 315 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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 317 #
Motion for a resolution 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 318 #
Motion for a resolution 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 319 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. States that the
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas the EU has been engaged in the Arctic since the early 1990’s, through its participation in the establishment of the Council of the Baltic Sea Region (CBSS), the Barents-Euro- Arctic Council (BEAC) and through its full membership in these bodies;
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. States that the exploitation of the Arctic’s resources should benefit local inhabitants; advocates, in this regard, for a stronger link between businesses operating in the Arctic and local communities to create economic and research opportunities, jobs and sustainable development of resources and supports the implementation of standards such as the Arctic Investment Protocol and the UN Global Compact Initiative;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. States that
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Reiterates its call on all the remaining Member States to ratify without delay the ILO’s Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention of 1989 (ILO Convention No 169);
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Calls for a strengthening of the funding of programs such as “north2north” and other mobility programs especially directed at young people living in the Arctic;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Emphasises the importance of sustainable development, cohesion policy and cross-border cooperation to tackle geopolitical tension;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution 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 327 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 b (new) 16b. Calls for an increase of the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, which promotes entrepreneurship, innovation and helps diversify economic development in the Arctic;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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 33 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the Arctic is home to over four million people, including more than 40 different indigenous ethnic groups and half a million EU citizens; whereas indigenous peoples and local communities play a vital role in the sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity;
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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 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 333 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Recognises the validity of the three founding pillars of the integrated EU policy for the Arctic, namely
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution 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; stresses that the European Union cannot replace the Member States in terms of extensions of sovereignty, including diplomatic ones;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17.
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17.
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Notes with grave concern that the accelerating impacts of global climate change are particularly pronounced in the Arctic, that the region is warming at a rate three times of the global average and that dramatic changes in ice conditions, sea levels and air temperatures are taking place, which are caused by global climate change, predominantly due to activities outside the Arctic, resulting in rapid social, environmental, and economic impacts, that effects not only the region but is felt worldwide. Underlines that the people of the Arctic are dramatically experiencing the effects of climate change, and need support and resources to adapt to these profound changes;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Highlights that, as expressed in the 2008 Commission communication, the following main policy objectives of the EU are: (1) protecting and preserving the Arctic in unison with its population, (2) promoting the sustainable use of resources, and (3) contributing to the enhanced Arctic multilateral governance; stresses that science and research at the heart of the EU policy towards the Arctic region;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Highlights that the Northern Dimension serves as a constructive arena for cross-border cooperation, with a successful model for sectorial cooperation, where the EU contributes equally to the joint policy with Russia, Norway and Iceland as well as other observers; welcomes further practical cooperation on a broad range of areas;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the Arctic is home to over four million people, including more than 40 different indigenous ethnic groups and half a million EU citizens; whereas demography is important to regional development;
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Calls, in this regard, on Greenland to ratify the Paris Climate Agreement;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 b (new) 17b. Urges the EU to take a leading role in the work to forge an ambitious climate action plan for the Arctic, addressing global emission mitigation of greenhouse gases and adaption to climate change while supporting innovative solutions relevant to the Arctic;
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 b (new) 17b. Stresses that the EU must contribute to the enhanced Arctic multilateral governance, promote a sustainable use of resources as well as protect and preserve the Arctic in unison with its population;
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 b (new) 17b. Calls on the EU to continue to contribute to the Arctic Council with expertise and financing by increasing its engagement in the Arctic Council working groups and its various projects;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 c (new) 17c. Highlights the cooperation between local and national state and non- state actors within the Barents Euro- Arctic Council (BEAC), where the EU is a full member, on issues with particular relevance to the Barents region;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 d (new) 17d. Believes that the Northern region should be viewed as part of the EU’s northern neighbourhood, with increased participation in existing fora;
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 e (new) 17e. Is committed to a strong and active parliamentary cooperation in the North, such as through the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region and the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 f (new) 17f. Welcomes the creation of an EU Ambassador at large for the Arctic/Special Envoy for Arctic matters in 2017; supports the continuation of the mandate of the EU Special Envoy for the Arctic and commends the work carried out by the EU Special Envoy for the Arctic, Michael Mann, in this mandate;
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 g (new) 17g. Underlines that there is a need for greater coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies towards the Arctic; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to improve inter-service cooperation and coherence between different programmes and investments in the Arctic; further calls on all Commission DGs to integrate Arctic considerations into relevant legislation and policies;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also reflect new security realities
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas the circumpolar Arctic is home to over four million people, including
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the ongoing process of updating
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also reflect new security realities and in particular maritime security issues as the EU's abilities in this field match the need in the region; is of the opinion that the EU should engage with stakeholders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity and that the Arctic should be a priority in the European Global Strategy; calls for an Arctic- specific connectivity policy (digitalisation, navigation, logistics, transport);
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which
Amendment 353 #
18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution 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 stakeholders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity; Notes that the EU should also aim to participate in other political forums linked to Arctic development;
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also reflect new environmental and security realities
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Recognises the contribution of EU Space programmes such as Copernicus, Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service and the satellite communications to environmental, maritime and human safety and security in the Arctic by enabling the monitoring of ice evolution, sustainable management of marine resources, detection of pollution, emergency warning, identification and tracking of maritime movement, search and rescue services, inter alia; supports continuous investment in development of these capabilities and advises their application in the Arctic in cooperation and under the leadership of the Arctic states that are members of the EU and/or NATO;
Amendment 358 #
Motion for a resolution 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 359 #
Motion for a resolution 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 36 #
Motion for a resolution 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 360 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on the Commission to include the security dimension of the Arctic in EU’s Foreign and Security Policy;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Calls on the Council to create a Working party on Northern Europe and the Arctic;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution 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 363 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Regrets Russia’s veto of EU observer status in the Arctic Council; supports the EU’s continued de facto
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19.
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Regrets Russia’s veto to
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Highlights the important role of the Arctic Council as a platform for dialogue between its Members and promote constructive cooperation, low- tension, peace and stability in the Arctic region;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Stresses the need for the EU and its Member States to maintain constructive
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. whereas Denmark, Finland and Sweden are Arctic countries; whereas the EU’s only indigenous people, the Sami people, live in the Arctic regions of Finland and Sweden, as well as Norway and Russia;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Stresses the need for the EU and its Member States to maintain constructive relations with Arctic states and underlines the need for the EU to keep engaging with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic; invites the EU and its Member States to cooperate more closely on Arctic issues in regional and international fora;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Stresses the need for the EU and its Member States to
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution 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 374 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Is of the opinion that the role of the Parliament should be strengthened in the EU’s Arctic policy formulation, by organising debates on Arctic Policy in the plenary and through the establishment of a specifically designated Inter- parliamentary Delegation, with special responsibility for the Arctic cooperation;
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution 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 376 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 b (new) 20b. Stresses the need for the EU to engage with all Arctic partners in policy dialogue, and calls for intensified cooperation between the EU, the Arctic Council in the framework of the Northern Dimension, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and other bodies involved in cooperation in the High North; underlines the important role of observers in the Arctic Council with great experience and long-time engagement in scientific and political cooperation in the Arctic; welcomes, in this regard, the ongoing dialogue between the observers and the Arctic Council Presidency;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution 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 378 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 c (new) 20c. Notes that the Barents Euro-Arctic Council has played an important role in building trust and mutual understanding in the North while enhancing cooperation between the Arctic countries; acknowledges that the Northern Dimension policy with its partnerships and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council with its activities can support the implementation of the goals of EU´s enhanced Arctic strategy and vice versa;
Amendment 379 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution 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 380 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 Amendment 382 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Is of the opinion that issues of security in the Arctic should also be part of consultations and cooperation with NATO, which can use the framework of the NATO-Russia Council to resolve misunderstandings, de-escalate tensions and prevent crises. Recognizes the importance of military, political and environmental cooperation between the EU and NATO in the Arctic region which should be based on increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in the region, the establishment of mechanisms to enhance information sharing and the increase of the frequency and complexity of NATO military exercises in the Arctic region;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Is of the opinion that issues of security in the Arctic should also be part of consultations and cooperation with NATO, which can use the framework of the NATO-Russia Council to resolve misunderstandings, de-escalate tensions and prevent crises; believes that prior notification on military exercises in the Arctic region could increase transparency on military activities in the region;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution 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 385 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Stresses the need for the EU and US to jointly promote security and stability in the Arctic, while investing and expanding their permanent scientific presence in the region;
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Calls for the Arctic to be included
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Calls for the Arctic to be included as one of the objectives of the EU’s Strategic Compass
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Calls for the Arctic to be included as one of the objectives of the EU’s Strategic Compass
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) Ba. whereas the geopolitical neutralisation of the region would allow an increase in cooperation between the circumpolar nations;
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 a (new) 22a. Notes that PESCO projects that are relevant for the security of the Arctic region should be initiated, in order to develop joint capabilities that would promote a holistic view of European security and strategic autonomy. Calls on the strengthening of the EU’s defence dimension, which should include air defence, surveillance and cybersecurity;
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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 393 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution 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 395 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s programmes, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies; calls for a broader debate on Arctic issues, both within the EU institutions and in Member States;
Amendment 396 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s programmes, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies; asks for increased visibility of, and communication concerning EU projects covering Arctic matters;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s programmes with dedicated funding, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies;
Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution 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 399 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Urges the Commission to establish a specific working group covering Northern Europe and the Arctic in a comprehensive manner; notes that the EU’s internal coordination on Arctic matters should be strengthened both in the Commission working group level and between the relevant EU agencies; encourages the Commission to entrust a coordinating role for Arctic policies to one Commissioner to avoid duplication of competences;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 18 a (new) — having regard to the European Commission communication presented in November 2008 entitled “The European Union and the Arctic Region” containing a wide-ranging and comprehensive proposal for a future EU Arctic policy, which is a milestone in the EU’s approach to the Arctic region,
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution 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 400 #
Motion for a resolution 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 401 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Highlights the need for improved synergies between existing financing instruments in order to prevent possible duplications, and to maximise interaction between internal and external EU programmes;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution 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 403 #
Motion for a resolution 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 404 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 b (new) Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution 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 406 #
Motion for a resolution 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;
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 c (new) 23c. Calls for the creation of a unit in the EEAS for Northern policies to expand EU’s presence and capacity as well as to provide more security and coherence in its policies;
Amendment 408 #
Motion for a resolution 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) 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;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the future of the Arctic requires
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the future of the Arctic requires a broader understanding and actions reaching beyond the regional level owing to the direct link between the geopolitics and security of the Arctic and its environmental situation; whereas the region’s geopolitical importance is growing;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas the effects of climate change are particularly visible in the Arctic, with the Arctic heating up two to three times faster than the global average, which has caused worrying changes in ice conditions, sea levels and air temperatures; whereas challenges to the Arctic are predominantly caused by global climate change and activities outside the Arctic region;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas climate change is warming the Arctic two to three times faster than the global average, thus significantly changing the regional ecosystem and geography, including by opening new transport routes, enabling the access to rare natural resources, and intensifying fishing and tourism;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C b (new) Cb. whereas some parts of the Arctic have the highest concentration of plastic litter in the world, already affecting Arctic animal species, posing a risk of contaminating the food web and eventually affecting humans;
Amendment 46 #
Cc. whereas, due to its remoteness, man-made environmental disasters in the Arctic, particularly when extracting oil and other Arctic resources, are difficult to contain and manage and eliminating their damages is problematic;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C d (new) Cd. whereas the largest oil contamination of the Arctic took place on Russian territories in May 2020 when more than 20,000 tons of diesel fuel poured into the surrounding ground and waterways near the city of Norilsk, and the clean-up work is still ongoing;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas the mostly extraneous effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact the economic development of the northern hemisphere by enhancing trade, research and travel opportunities due to the increased potential access to the region;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 18 b (new) — having regard to the IPCC reports, particularly the Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC) and the Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C (SR15),
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact the economic development of the northern hemisphere; whereas since 2012, around 40% of the sea ice of the Arctic melts every summer;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact the economic and security development of the
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas the effects of climate change
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact the region's economic development
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution 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 55 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas the Arctic is warming at a rate three times of the global average, resulting in rapid social, environmental, and economic impacts, not only in the region but worldwide;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol) bans mining in Antarctic and there is a need for a similar ban in the Arctic;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 18 c (new) — having regard to the IPBES Workshop Report on Biodiversity and Pandemics of 29 October 2020,
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to the competition for its natural resources, including critical raw materials, and the emerging new maritime routes;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas an investigation carried out by the United States Geological Institute calculated that 90,000 million barrels of oil and 44,000 million barrels of natural gas are hidden under the shrinking Arctic ice cap, which corresponds to 13% and 30% of the world reserves of these resources, respectively;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas the natural resources of the Arctic region largely are within the national jurisdiction of the Arctic states and the ownership of these resources is undisputed;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas the EU contributed over one billion euros to regional development and cross-border cooperation in the European Arctic;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E b (new) Eb. whereas, in December 2017, the five Arctic Ocean coastal states, including Russia, and five major fishing stakeholders: China. Japan, Iceland, South Korea and the EU, signed an agreement on fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean; whereas the agreement bans commercial fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean for 16 years, in order to acquire better scientific knowledge of Arctic ecosystems and fish stocks dynamics;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E b (new) Eb. whereas the need to develop and find sustainable solutions for energy- production and transportation has increased the global demand for rare- earth elements, which has turned the focus into the Arctic's largely unexploited natural resources;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F F. whereas primary responsibility for the
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F a (new) Fa. whereas the alarming pace of the melting ice caps in the Arctic is due to climate change and factors that mainly originated outside the Arctic; whereas climate change should be viewed as a threat multiplier, which exacerbates existing trends, tensions and instability;
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 18 d (new) — having regard to its resolution on climate diplomacy of 03 July 2018,
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F b (new) Fb. whereas the melting Arctic ice cap and the resulting rise in sea levels would have serious global environmental, economic, and human security implications; whereas the melting of Greenland ice cap could cause a rise of the sea level across the world of up to 7.2 metres, submerging many regions across the planet; whereas some populations are already experiencing the consequences of the melting and have become climate refugees, generating migratory flows from these places to neighbouring countries; whereas Greenland’s melting ice is also altering biodiversity;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F c (new) Fc. whereas besides the five Arctic countries that encircle the Arctic Ocean (United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Denmark and Greenland), the European Union has expressed a clear interest in the region;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Recital F d (new) Fd. whereas among the various threats that the Arctic is exposed to due to the human activity, one of particular concern is the thawing of permafrost; whereas permafrost covers around 24% of the northern hemisphere soil, particularly large areas of the north of Russia; whereas permafrost contains large proportions of dangerous methane and CO2 and as it thaws greenhouse gases are released to the atmosphere, contributing to global warming; whereas the melting of permafrost can change ecosystems and affect security in unexpected ways;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G G. whereas cooperation in the field of scientific research is now, more than ever, crucial to overcoming the challenges brought about by pollution and climate change; whereas the EU has contributed over 200 million euro for Arctic research through the Horizon 2020 programme;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Recital G G. whereas cooperation in the field of scientific research is now, more than ever, crucial to overcoming the challenges brought about by
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution 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 76 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H H. whereas the comprehensive governance model of the Arctic
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H H. whereas the governance model of the Arctic has so far proven to be effective; whereas cooperation has proven to be the most useful way of establishing relations between the Arctic states;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution 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 79 #
Motion for a resolution Recital H a (new) Ha. whereas the management of climate change and its effect in the Arctic requires international cooperation and the implementation of the Paris Agreement is at the heart of such cooperation;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 19 a (new) — having regard to the Ilulissat Declaration between the five Arctic coastal states United States, Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark, which was announced on May 28, 2008, and reaffirmed in May 2018,
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution 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 81 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited,
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited, giving it the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affecting the Arctic, particularly security- related affairs and de-escalation of tensions related to the race for the Arctic territories, resources and dominance in the Arctic waters;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited,
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I I. whereas the remit and functioning of the Arctic Council
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Recital I a (new) Ia. whereas the Arctic Council has served as a basis for several binding agreements between the Arctic states, including the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic (2011), the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013) and the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation (2017);
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution 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 89 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas, the essential role of international law, in particular the UNCLOS and the conventions of the IMO, should be reaffirmed and reinforced; whereas the UNCLOS particularly grants economic rights to coastal states over their exclusive economic zones as well as over their continental shelves; whereas the UNCLOS serves as the main legal framework of the Arctic given that the high seas are not subject to any state sovereignty; whereas the United States has not ratified yet the UNCLOS;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution 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 90 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J J. whereas
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution 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 92 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J a (new) Ja. whereas the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established in March 1948; whereas the IMO sets global regulatory standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution Recital J a (new) Ja. 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 94 #
Motion for a resolution 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 95 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas the EU’s engagement with the Arctic is based on history, geography, economy and research
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K K. whereas the EU’s engagement with the Arctic is based on history, geography, economy and research, and whereas the EU, as a global actor, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a peaceful, environmentally clean and cooperative Arctic; whereas three EU Member States – Denmark, Finland and Sweden – are Arctic countries;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution 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 towards a peaceful
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution 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
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution Recital K a (new) Ka. whereas there has been a longstanding engagement of the EU in the Arctic through its involvement in the Northern Dimension Policy with Russia, Norway and Iceland, in the Barents cooperation and particularly in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and the Barents Regional Council, in the strategic partnerships with Canada, the US and Russia, as well as through its participation as an active de facto observer in the Arctic Council in recent years;
source: 680.908
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