EU and the Arctic debate (East Yorkshire Liberal Democrats)

East Yorkshire Liberal Democrats <pamdaveaustin@talktalk.net>

EU and the Arctic debate

March 12, 2010 10:14 AM
Originally published by Diana Wallis MEP

Arctic Speaking in the plenary debate on EU policy in the Arctic in the European Parliament on Wednesday Diana Wallis, the Vice President responsible for Arctic matters, said that 'an inner core of states in the Arctic could seriously undermine a very precious cooperation in the region'. She also stated the importance of the Northern Dimension as a basis for multilateral cooperation in the Arctic.

Diana's speech from the debate:

Mr President, I should like to say to the High Representative: thank you so much for your statement. I think many of us in this Chamber are so pleased that you are carrying on what was started by the Commission and also followed up by the Presidency statements last autumn.

You underlined the fragile nature and environment of the Arctic. That fragile nature is, as you recognised, a global concern, not just one that concerns Europe or indeed those nations in the Arctic.

The Arctic also presents itself as a unique opportunity for multinational cooperation. It is unique also for us as the EU to have a positive relationship with Russia there, through the Northern Dimension. That is something we must absolutely build on with other partners.

But it has to be a meaningful cooperation overall in the Arctic, and it is worrying - and you did not touch on this in your statement - that we see the development of an inner core of five coastal states of the Arctic meeting outside the architecture of the Arctic Council. This could seriously undermine a very precious cooperation and it has to be treated with some seriousness.

Likewise, we - the EU - have been rebuffed for observer status. We have some fences we need to mend and we need to try to re-establish confidence in what it is that we want to establish in the Arctic.

I believe that the original Commission communication was an amazing document in the way it brought together many cross-cutting issues across a number of DGs in the Commission. This is a good basis on which we can build. We all wait with interest as to how you will coordinate this policy, going forward in the new Commission and with your unique role wearing two hats. But thank you for the start.