The Arctic safety and security policy of the EU and Denmark/Greenland MARPART Conference, Bodø-Tromsø, 17-18 October 2016 Uffe Jakobsen University of Copenhagen and University of Greenland

Earlier EU documents on the Arctic • Controversial contents from Arctic perspectives – Arctic Treaty – Ban on exploitation of natural resources in the Arctic – Ban on importing seal products to the EU

Arctic documents on the Arctic • Arctic Council – “The Ilulissat Declaration” (2008) by the 5 Arctic coastal states (“Arctic Five”)

• Arctic NGOs – “A Circumpolar Inuit Declaration on Resource Development Principles in Inuit Nunaat” (2011) by Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)

Outline • The EU legitimation as an Arctic actor • The Joint Communication on Arctic policy – Overall – Societal security and maritime emergency

• Greenland and Denmark relations to the EU in the Arctic – Overall – Societal security and maritime emergency

EU observer status in the Arctic Council • 2009 Tromsø ministerial meeting – Application rejected • 2011 Nuuk ministerial meeting – Application deferred • 2013 Kiruna ministerial meeting – Application was accepted on conditions • 2015 Iqaluit ministerial meeting – Application not discussed. • The EU as a de facto observer

The Joint Communication on Arctic policy

• Comprehensive scope, modest content • Focus areas: – climate change and the safeguarding of Arctic environment – sustainable development in and around the Arctic – international cooperation on Arctic issues

• Societal security and emergency prevention, preparedness and response

Joint Communication / EU on societal security

• Very limited in contents on security/safety • Contents elsewhere in EU documents – Horizon 2020 on network of practioners on security threats in relation to sea ice melts and new shipping routes – European Defence Agency (EDA) on navigational safety, maritime surveillance and maritime security in the Arctic – The “Wise Pens International” group

Wise Pens International • Aarhus University project on “Arctic Training” – risk analysis of changing weather patterns, ocean currents, iceberg drifting and sea ice mobility – procedures for detection of oil spill at sea – regulatory requirements for shipping and offshore oil and gas activities – regulatory framework for tourist cruising ships

Greenland and the EU • Becoming member together with Denmark – And leaving alone

• OCTA membership • Policy areas of cooperation EU/Greenland – Fisheries – EU programmes participation – EU support for education in Greenland – Cooperation on natural resource policies

Joint Declaration between the EU, Denmark and Greenland • Sustainable management of fish stocks and marine environment • Education, tourism and culture • Natural resources, including raw materials • Environment and biodiversity • Arctic issues - the social sector, food security etc • Research and innovation in areas such as natural resources, energy, climate change and disaster management

Greenland – a vast and sparsely populated area

(Photo: Uffe Jakobsen)

Greenland and Denmark and maritime security • Military tasks of the Danish Armed Forces in Greenland (Joint Arctic Command) • Civilian tasks of the Danish Armed Forces in Greenland (JRCC Greenland) – maritime traffic monitoring (GREENPOS) – maritime search and rescue – maritime environment surveillance – oil spill response – fisheries inspection

Conclusions • The EU as an legitimate Arctic actor: – The EU is very committed Arctic actor – Greenland fully supports the EU as Arctic actor – Changes in the Arctic impact EU member states

•

The EU Joint Communication on Arctic policy – The EU has a comprehensive approach to the Arctic – But only vague ideas (wishing list), not a policy or an action plan

• More focus on sustainable development etc. – Less focus on security issues

• Greenland’s assessment of the EU/Joint Communication – Very positive – Outlook on continuing and broadened area of cooperation

Qujanaq! – Thank you!

(Photo: Lars Maltha Rasmussen)