The Arctic would become a centrepiece of a proposed new partnership between Canada and the European Union, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
“We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project,” von der Leyen said in the broadcast of her 2026 State of the Union address to the European Parliament.
The proposed partnership outlined in the speech would also include energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, cybersecurity, economic security and the integration of Canadian and European defence industries.
Von der Leyen addressed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who attended the speech, inviting Canada to begin talks on becoming the first associate member of the EU, a status that does not yet exist in the bloc.
“This is not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength,” von der Leyen said. “We want to bring our relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.”
Von der Leyen didn’t explain further what would be involved in the closer Arctic relationship or whether specific initiatives have already been discussed with Ottawa.
Marc Lanteigne, a Canadian political scientist at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, said the proposal reflects how closely Ottawa’s and Brussels’ views of the Arctic are beginning to align.
“These are two partners that are very much on the same page in terms of what the strategic threats and dangers are in the region,” he said in an interview. “But at the same time, they see the Arctic as economically important.”
Lanteigne said natural areas of cooperation include critical minerals and telecommunications infrastructure.
“I can certainly picture connectivity—for example, expanded data-cable connections through Greenland,” he said. “I can certainly picture an agreement on strategic materials and rare earths.”
A possible `’Plan B’ for Arctic cooperation
Lanteigne said the proposed EU-Canada initiative could also serve as a fallback if the Arctic Council becomes less effective.
The Arctic Council forum brings together the eight Arctic countries and Indigenous Permanent Participants to work on issues including the environment and sustainable development, but its work has been limited since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. administration’s rejection of climate policy and President Donald Trump’s statements about taking control of Greenland has raised further uncertainty about the future of northern cooperation.
“If the Arctic Council isn’t able to function like it should, and if there’s a demand for mutual research and continued investigation into climate change, this [potential EU-Canada project] could be a backup option,” he said.
Von der Leyen’s proposal comes two days after 12 European countries called for greater investment in Arctic surveillance, military mobility, critical infrastructure and icebreakers at an Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland.
It also follows the EU’s pledge last week to invest €200 million in Greenland.
Global Affairs Canada has been contacted for comment.
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Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada joins NATO allies for Arctic Shield exercise in Greenland, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland completes 200km of fence along Russia border; 25 km stretch across Kainuu into Lapland, The Independent Barents Observer
Greenland: EU pledges €200M to Greenland hours before Trump posts map of island under U.S. flag, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway’s ambassador summoned to Moscow foreign ministry as wave of propaganda hits the headlines, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia’s hybrid attacks in focus as European leaders meet in Finnish Lapland, Yle News
Sweden: British, Swedish and American reconnaissance aircraft monitor Russia’s Kola Peninsula, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
