Tarja Cronberg is a Finnish Member of the European Parliament (MEP), and a member of the Greens/EFA
group.
334
Commentary
No Entry for EU into the Arctic while Guaranteeing
Access to Others?
Tarja Cronberg
Why does Greenland receive approximately 25 million euros per year from the European Union,
despite the fact that it is not even one of its members? At the same time, the government of
Greenland continuously threatens to prioritize China over Europe, regardless of the generous
money it receives from Brussels under the Partnership Agreement between the EU, Denmark and
Greenland. And why was the European Union‘s application for observer status at the Arctic Council
deferred this spring?
At first glance, the European Union almost seems to be losing its grip on the Arctic agenda.
Although a key supporter of the region, the EU‘s effort to play any key role in the Arctic has fallen
short of expectations.
As stated in the EU Arctic Strategy, the Arctic is an area of growing strategic importance and also an
example of successful international cooperation contributing to peace and security in the region.
Russia and Norway, for instance, were able to conclude a maritime treaty on cooperation in the
Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean after some forty years of negotiations in stalemate. The European
Union is also the world‘s strongest proponent of international efforts to fight climate change.
As global warming opens up sea routes and prospects for mining in the Arctic, there has been a
global rush to secure a share of the looming profits. In connection with the last parliamentary
elections in spring, Greenland has signalled that it is open for foreign investments, particularly in the
mineral and oil sectors. Several of the mineral deposits in the Arctic are perceived as crucial for
European industries. Greenland has been extremely eager to see investments begin to pour in.
Consequently, the leadership of Greenland has continuously urged the EU to follow up a recent
memorandum of understanding concerning Greenland's raw materials and to start investing. Last