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Europe’s Arctic challenge
October 9, 2008
It was seven months ago that Javier Solana, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, warned about the risks to international stability from the intensifying competition among countries in the Arctic region. Today the European Parliament drew attention to the issue again by passing a resolution that called on EU policymakers to push for an international treaty for the protection of the Arctic.
Legislators adopted the resolution by 597 votes to 23 with 41 abstentions, demonstrating that it had overwhelming cross-party support. Soon the European Commission will publish a long-awaited report that for the first time will put flesh on the bones of the EU’s Arctic policy.
The problem in the Arctic is that there are no comprehensive rules governing how states should behave there. There is no system for managing fish stocks, nothing to regulate the extraction of oil and gas, and not much guidance on how to settle territorial disputes that may flare up as the polar ice recedes.
According to a US Geological Survey report published in July, the Arctic accounts for about 22 per cent of the world’s undiscovered, technically recoverable resources. That includes 13 per cent of the undiscovered oil, 30 per cent of the natural gas and 20 per cent of the natural gas liquids. It is an extraordinary, unrepeatable opportunity.
However, as was shown in August 2007 when Russian explorers planted their flag on the seabed under the North Pole, the Arctic could easily turn into a zone of clashing national interests. Moreover, the boom in shipping activities and energy exploitation may create all sorts of environmental hazards for the Arctic’s vulnerable ice-covered areas.
Joe Borg, the EU fisheries and maritime affairs commissioner, says the Commission’s report will stress three points: safeguarding the Arctic’s ecosystem, promoting the sustainable use of its resources, and putting in place a stronger system of international governance. The idea is to build on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the international environmental treaties that apply to the Arctic, and the work of various bodies such as the Arctic Council, which includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US.
The EU lacks even observer status in the Arctic Council and needs to catch up quickly if it is to defend its interests in the region. Solana’s message is worth repeating: “There is an increasing need to address the growing debate over territorial claims and access to new trade routes by different countries which challenge Europe’s ability to effectively secure its trade and resource interests in the region and may put pressure on its relations with key partners.”
Obviously the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy, which has proved oh so brilliantly successful as a method for the central management of the EU’s fish stocks, should now be extended to Arctic. In fact, it should eventually be extended to the whole world, under the excellent leadership of this bloke Joe Borg.
Why do these eurocrats lack any self-awareness?
Posted by: Denis Cooper | October 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pm | Report this commentIt is ironic that the effects of global warming have made fossil fuels more accessible in the Arctic.
Javier Solana is right to point out the potential for conflict. But the EU still has to get to grips with its foreign policy and the global banking crisis has demonstrated that EU nations are not yet able to act in the Union’s interests first.
The anachronisms of EU Defence arrangements will allow the mightiest to prevail. There will be no EU nuclear submarine planting an EU flag on the arctic seabed. Expecting the EU’s Fisheries and Maritime affairs Commissioner to deal with this shows how far the EU’s structures lag behind contemporary geopolitical issues.
Posted by: Central Scrutiniser | October 9th, 2008 at 2:18 pm | Report this commentWe ought to have a common policy for the Arctic, Antarctic and the deep sea. The most important objective should be the preservation of the eco system rather than enabling exploitation of these places. The EU is a long way away from having a single foreign policy. Until then, it makes sense for interested members of the EU to push this case in the UN. www.winnowed.blogspot.com
Posted by: Vinod Joseph | October 10th, 2008 at 4:43 am | Report this commentCentral scrutiniser I couldnt agree with you more. The EU needs institutions which reflect the rapidly changing geopolitical and financial landscape. It is clear to those who have the EU’s interest at heart that it needs greater economic integration within the eurozone i.e. tax collection and spending. Furthermore, the EU needs a common foreign policy - with a clear military force able to defend the EU’s interest.
Posted by: KWM | October 10th, 2008 at 10:33 am | Report this commentThe more I think about it the EU is irellevant it is the Eurozone that has forward traction.
Simple language should be conveyed to the rest of the EU members resisting a federalists europe, your either with us or agaisnt us.
Good for the EU and Solana ! it’s about time ! let’s hope the usual neocon warmongers don’t turn this “intent for co-operation” into another fabricated conflict with Russia, although i know they will try very hard .
Deep exploration and brutal weather needs full cooperation, while whales ,bears and caribous can be very well taken care off : the critics that attack exploration in the Arctic are , among others, members of the oil lobby that does not have a cut in these fields or want to keep the Middle East as the main source of oil and gas, shame on them!
This is a great opportunity to build in the EU , USA and Russia the needed platforms to turn also wasted gas into hydrogen/methanol , install underwater turbines and wind turbines and expand the grid, as well as fish management and serious tourist deep ocean travel,a total network and this requires the push of all, together!
The needed deep water platforms could be the excuse the re-organize the bloated shipbuilding industry, specially in Europe, making sure every unit competes for lower costs and smartly, each to his and her own strenght and investing in new technology and methods,just look at South Korea, who went from zero to tops in 30 years, maybe they should be partners…the potential and rewards in the Arctic is Energy Independence.
Posted by: financialtools1@gmail.com | October 11th, 2008 at 7:19 pm | Report this comment