פּראָטעקטינג די #אַרקטיק: מעפּס שטופּן פֿאַר אַ סאַסטיינאַבאַל פּאָליטיק

MEPs on the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Environment Committee have today adopted a report addressing the European Union's policy towards the Arctic, calling for steps to be taken to avoid the militarisation of the region and for a strategy to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and to limit the impact of human activities.

ALDE MEP, Urmas Paet (Estonian Reform Party), rapporteur on the subject in the AFET Committee calls for a sustainable Arctic policy based on the respect of international law:

“The geopolitical importance of the Arctic is growing. It is time for the EU Arctic policy to pay more attention to the security aspects of the region. Our main goal is to keep the Arctic a low-tension area; we must avoid the militarisation of the Arctic. Respect for international law in the region is also essential. Another important topic we must focus on is the protection of the Arctic environment."

ALDE MEP, Anneli Jäätteenmäki (Centre Party, Finland), shadow rapporteur on EU policy for the Arctic in ENVI Committee, added:

“I want to underline the importance of continuing cooperation with the Arctic Council, which remains the most important multilateral forum covering the entire Arctic region.”

“It’s imperative that local communities are included in the decision making process as the EU develops its policy on the Arctic. The use of natural resources in the Arctic shall be conducted in a way which respects and benefits local communities and takes full responsibility for the fragile Arctic environment.”

The report calls for the Commission to take a stronger role in the effective implementation of international conventions and also to use its enabling role in the on-going negotiations in the International Maritime Organisation to ban the use of heavy fuel oil in vessels navigating the Arctic seas.

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