Key facts
- Twelve EU member states, including Germany, France, and the Netherlands, have urged the EU to take a more strategic and proactive role in the European Arctic.
- The call was made in a joint statement following a summit in northern Finland.
- The statement cited growing geopolitical tensions and geo-economic competition in the region, particularly in light of Russia's actions.
- EU Council President António Costa and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were among those present at the summit.
Twelve European Union member states have called for the bloc to adopt a more strategic and proactive stance in the European Arctic, citing increasing geopolitical tensions and competition in the region. The joint statement, issued on Monday, emphasized the need for the EU to treat the Arctic as a strategic border area, particularly in the context of threats from Russia.