The European Union put closer ties with Canada in the spotlight in its updated Arctic strategy on Tuesday, with plans ranging from data-cable connections to ocean monitoring and climate research.
The document describes Arctic cooperation as part of an “Alliance for the Future,” which Canada and the EU will further discuss at a bilateral summit next week.
“Canada is a long-standing partner and a natural ally in the Arctic,” the strategy said. “We share common values and the same way of seeing the world, from climate change to geopolitics.”
Pan-Arctic cable project
Among the proposals in the strategy is a pan-Arctic cable connecting Europe to Japan and South Korea through Greenland and Canada.
The strategy said feasibility studies are underway, and pointed to Canada’s interest in more secure broadband connections between Europe and Asia, but gave no proposed timetable for the full route.
Marc Lanteigne, a Canadian political scientist at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, said the strategy’s focus on connectivity is significant.
“The idea of the cable is very interesting because it identifies an area of security that hasn’t really been a priority and is more along the lines of making sure there’s a possibility of better information flow, better communications and potentially even better transportation,” he said.
Focus on non-EU Arctic partners
Another notable aspect of the strategy is how the United States is discussed compared to other Arctic and northern nations, Lanteigne said.
“You definitely get the tone that there’s more distance between European and American approaches to the Arctic,” he said.
“When the U.S. is brought up, it’s more in reference to mutual security concerns, rather than anything related to research or climate change. So there’s definitely a focus on bringing in other non-EU Arctic partners, including Canada, in addition to countries like the U.K., Norway and Iceland.”
Upcoming EU-Canada Summit
The strategy is the latest step toward closer Arctic cooperation between Canada and the EU.
In September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Arctic would become a “flagship joint project” in a proposed new partnership with Canada.
The 21st EU-Canada Summit will take place in Montreal Oct. 29-30.
Global Affairs Canada did not respond to requests for comment.
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Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic would be “flagship project” in proposed EU-Canada partnership, von der Leyen says, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Trump touts ‘permanent control’ in Greenland deal as Denmark, Nuuk stress sovereignty, self-determination, Eye on the Arctic
Greenland: Greenland lawmakers signal support for Trump security deal, Reuters
Norway: EU still committed to keeping oil, coal and gas in ground in Arctic, new strategy says, Reuters
Russia: Kremlin says Greenland deal with US and Denmark is a matter for those involved, Reuters
Sweden: Sweden welcomes Greenland deal — but US rhetoric hurting trust within NATO, minister says, Radio Sweden
United States: New Greenland military bases will expand U.S. Arctic footprint, enhance NATO, Trump tells UN, Eye on the Arctic
