Finland hosts first European Arctic Summit to enhance regional security and defense

Brussels, September 14 (KUNA) -- The Finnish city of Rovaniemi hosted today, Monday, the first European Summit on the Arctic, bringing together European Union leaders to discuss enhancing security and defense in the region, as well as protecting interests and infrastructure amid the repercussions of climate change and the economic and geopolitical shifts underway in the Arctic.

European Council President António Costa, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account upon his arrival in Finland, stated that strengthening the EU’s security and defense readiness requires a comprehensive approach, emphasizing that Finland’s initiative to convene this summit had highlighted the strategic importance of the Arctic region. Costa added that “Europe’s security remains closely linked to Ukraine’s security,” reiterating that the European Union would continue to support Kyiv “whatever it takes.” He called for adopting a new approach to the EU’s long-term budget in response to the new geopolitical reality, alongside securing supply chains and vital raw materials, and addressing transport and energy issues.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced last month that Rovaniemi would host the first European Summit on the Arctic on September 13 and 14, with the participation of several European leaders and officials to explore ways to strengthen the European approach to the Arctic in light of its growing security and strategic significance.

The summit comes at a time when Northern Europe is undergoing rapid transformations following the Russian-Ukrainian war and the accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), while the region’s importance for European security and defense planning continues to rise. The European summit aims to crystallize a clearer EU stance toward the Arctic, integrating security, defense, economic and strategic interests, and enhancing cooperation with regional partners amid intensifying international competition over the region’s resources, sea routes, and strategic location. (End) A.R.N. / F.L.A.