BRUSSELS, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) unveiled a new Arctic strategy on Tuesday aimed at strengthening security, protecting critical infrastructure and expanding economic cooperation in the region amid growing geopolitical competition and accelerating climate change.
The strategy, presented by the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, sets out four priorities: strengthening security and resilience, responding to climate change, promoting prosperity and creating opportunities for people and communities in the Arctic.
The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the global average, affecting ecosystems and local communities, while new shipping routes and increasingly accessible resources are reshaping the region's security and economic landscape, resulting in growing geopolitical tensions, strategic competition and military activity, the Commission said in a press release.
Under the new strategy, the EU said it will work with member states and Arctic partners, in coordination with NATO, to improve preparedness, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen Europe's ability to operate in Arctic conditions, including by expanding European icebreaker capacity.
The EU also plans to establish a so-called Maritime Security Hub to help member states and partners share information and improve monitoring of maritime activities in the Arctic. As a first step, it will support the establishment of an Arctic Cable Hub to monitor, protect and help repair submarine cables in the North Atlantic and Arctic.
On the economic front, the EU plans to integrate European infrastructure, including ports, rail connections, energy terminals and digital networks, into emerging Arctic trade and transport networks.
On climate change, the EU pledges to strengthen research, observation and monitoring to improve climate predictions, strengthen maritime safety and support efforts to adapt to climate change.
The new strategy comes as the Arctic's growing strategic importance has drawn renewed attention to Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to bring Greenland under U.S. control, arguing that Washington needs the island for national security. His remarks have drawn strong opposition from Denmark and European countries, adding to tensions in transatlantic relations.
In September, the United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement allowing Washington to expand its military presence on the island and strengthen security cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic.
Despite the agreement, Trump referred to Greenland as "our new, beautiful Greenland" in a social media post last week and announced plans for large-scale oil, gas and mineral exploration on the island. ■
