The EU Commission’s new strategy for the Arctic will benefit Europe and the inhabitants of the Arctic, Løkke believes.
The Danish Minister for Foreign AffairsLars Løkke Rasmussen, in a post on X welcomes the new Arctic strategy from the EU Commission “very welcome”.
– In a changing geopolitical landscape, the importance of the Arctic is growing. I very much welcome the EU’s Arctic strategy, writes Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
The EU Commission presented the strategy on Tuesday, which must now be discussed with the EU countries.
The strategy marks a major shift compared to the latest strategy from 2021. Now the EU Commission is planning a greatly increased focus on security.
At the same time, investments in the region will be significantly increased.
It is the right way to go, says Lars Løkke Rasmussen about the strategy.
– It will pave the way for a stronger EU footprint in the region – to the benefit of the inhabitants of the Arctic. But also for the whole of Europe and our close partners, writes Lars Løkke Rasmussen on X.
The strategy also aims to strengthen Europe’s ability to operate in Arctic conditions.
This must be done, among other things, by expanding the European icebreaker capacity.
According to the EU Commission, the 27 EU countries together have around 10 icebreakers. By comparison, Russia is estimated to be able to muster 40 icebreakers.
In the strategy, the EU Commission also calls for more to be done to protect the northern sea borders and critical underwater infrastructure.
This must be done, among other things, by establishing a new maritime security centre.
It will support the monitoring of maritime activities in the Arctic.
The EU Commission will also set up an “Arctic Cable Centre” to monitor, protect and repair submarine cables in the North Atlantic and Arctic.
RITZAU
