What changed between the draft committee report and the plenary report

Added:z) highlighting the critical role played by international scientific cooperation in Arctic governance and climate understanding, support continued EU funding for and active participation in Arctic research projects and scientific dialogues; promote open data sharing and the integration of scientific findings into policymaking processes, while ensuring that such scientific exchange is conducted with full awareness of the current defence and security risks arising from the geopolitical situation;

Added:aa) recognise the unique role of universities in Arctic rural areas as drivers of regional development and economic growth through innovation in research and businesses, attracting newcomers, enhancing local and regional competence and skills, promoting regional cohesion, and distributing knowledge and information that contributes to resilience and preparedness; support Arctic universities, including through financial contributions via a mix of EU programmes; reinforce educational and research mobility between EU universities and Arctic higher education institutions, including in Greenland, Iceland and northern Norway, to foster a new generation of Arctic experts and deepen people-to-people cooperation; increase funding of interdisciplinary research on the Arctic and support the establishment of a European Centre of Excellence for Arctic Research, making use of Copernicus services, open data infrastructures, in situ measurements and traditional knowledge, in order to provide operational scientific products to support EU-level decision-making and cooperation with legitimate international partners;

Added:ab) in the light of the growing support for EU accession in Iceland, welcome the intention expressed by local authorities to hold a referendum by 2027 on the resumption of EU accession negotiations and pledge to respect the outcome thereof, as democratically expressed by the Icelandic people; meanwhile, engage proactively with the Icelandic Government to promote the benefits of potential EU membership and enhance preparedness for a renewed accession process should Iceland formally reactivate its application, while immediately enhancing cooperation on common interests and offering EU assistance in the fight against hybrid threats and foreign interference;

Added:ac) welcome the Icelandic Government’s decision to launch talks on a security and defence partnership with the EU; express that the resulting agreement will be fundamental for future EU-Iceland relations;

Added:ad) recognise Norway as a key EU and NATO ally and underline the ongoing need to strengthen security and defence cooperation with full alignment to NATO commitments; with that in mind, considering that Norway’s EU membership would strengthen both its national interests and the EU’s geopolitical resilience by closing critical gaps in the latter’s collective defence – notably in the GIUK gap – explore deeper cooperation with Norway, including the possible extension to Norway of Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union and Norway’s potential EU accession; highlight that comprehensive defence cooperation with Norway is already possible, as demonstrated by robust Nordic defence cooperation, which should serve as a model for closer EU-Norway ties;

Added:ae) given Norway’s crucial role in EU energy security, accounting for more than 30 % of EU gas imports in 2024, enhance cooperation on energy resilience and supply diversification as a key tool – alongside other strategic infrastructure projects such as the Baltic Sea Gas Corridor – to achieve EU strategic autonomy, enhanced resilience and reduced dependence on Russian energy supplies;

Added:af) welcome Norway’s ongoing support for Ukraine, including its decision to allocate almost EUR 600 million towards Ukrainian air defence systems;

Added:ag) in the light of Parliament’s deep concern about Greenland’s growing geopolitical significance – exacerbated by external actors’ statements questioning Denmark’s constitutional arrangements and sovereignty, and reports of foreign interference in its domestic affairs, including certain statements by the US administration – reaffirm respect for Greenland’s right to self-determination, emphasising that decisions regarding Greenland’s constitutional future and international relations must be made exclusively by the people of Greenland, free from external pressure;

Added:ah) in view of the increasing relevance of Greenland in Arctic and European security frameworks, alongside increasing support for EU accession among Greenlanders, evidenced by polling suggesting that around 60 % of Greenlanders now favour rejoining the EU, welcome any potential initiative by the Government of Greenland to strengthen its political, institutional and economic links with the EU; encourage the EU to engage in deeper strategic and economic partnerships, including in the context of potential accession, if and when desired by the Greenlandic people; in this regard, underline that EU membership, which gives access to initiatives such as Iris2 and Galileo, would give Greenland a stronger voice in Arctic governance, provide the means to protect its crucial ecosystems and enable the sustainable development of critical infrastructure as new northern trade routes emerge, while also bolstering its security;

Added:ai) take note of Greenland’s first security strategy entitled ‘Greenland in the World: Nothing about Us Without Us – Greenland’s Foreign, Security and Defense Policy 2024-2033’, which reflects the principle of meaningful inclusion of Arctic peoples in shaping policies that affect their region; take note of the recommendation in the strategy to establish a peace centre in Nuuk that would promote dialogue and facilitate research and mediation;

Added:aj) acknowledge that Greenland aligned itself with EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine; underline that the opening of the Commission’s office in Nuuk marks a new stage in cooperation with Greenland, which, although not a Member State, has long maintained a close association with the EU and benefited from its financial support, including in the education sector;

Added:ak) strengthen collaboration with Canada; underline the strategic relevance of the EU-Canada partnership in the light of shared democratic values and global responsibilities, and promote security and defence cooperation in the Arctic as part of an ambitious and forward-looking EU-Canada agenda;

Added:al) highlight, in particular, the need for increased cooperation to combat malign activities by Russia and China in the Arctic, while fostering economic development and recalling that military cooperation can also strengthen local communities; develop a structured dialogue within the framework of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, focusing on ecosystem and biodiversity protection, the implementation of international environmental standards, resilient infrastructure, maritime route security and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into decision-making processes; recall the high potential for EU-Canada cooperation on Canadian natural resources; encourage closer cooperation in scientific and cultural fields to empower Indigenous populations and strengthen Arctic resilience; emphasise that collaboration on infrastructure development and management and Indigenous partnership models is central to EU-Canada cooperation; prioritise rapid steps to deepen political, economic and security cooperation with Canada, given its role as a founding member of the Arctic Council and a strategic EU partner;

Added:am) advance EU-US dialogue on the Arctic; highlight the many common EU-US challenges in the region, ranging from climate to security cooperation; underline that EU-US cooperation in the Arctic is fundamental to containing Russia and China and ensuring shared security between the EU and the US;

Added:an) underline that a stronger regional dialogue with like-minded partners in the Arctic is necessary, and call upon EU leaders to bring together the leaders of such partners in order to establish a common, substantial and viable long-term Arctic strategy;

Added:ao) reinforce multilateral governance and cooperation through the Arctic Council, particularly under the current Chairship of the Kingdom of Denmark, spearheaded by Greenland for the 2025-2027 period; in this respect, urge all members to uphold peaceful, law-based governance frameworks and to restore effective multilateral cooperation, with a particular emphasis on environmental protection, sustainable development and the rights of Indigenous peoples;

Added:ap) strengthen cooperation with Arctic Council observer states, such as Japan and South Korea, focusing on sustainable technology, icebreaking capabilities and maritime safety, while safeguarding EU strategic interests;

Added:aq) renew its efforts to support the EU’s application to become a full observer within the Arctic Council and enhance EU participation in the working groups of the Arctic Council;

Added:ar) increase funding and support for cooperation with key Arctic institutions, such as the Arctic Economic Council, the Arctic Mayors’ Forum and the Standing Committee of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region, including through capacity-building, joint projects and research initiatives, recognising their essential role in promoting sustainable development and local engagement across the Arctic region;

Added:as) recognise that an upgraded and enhanced EU Arctic strategy also requires additional financial resources; therefore, ensure that the next multiannual financial framework stimulates strategic investments in Arctic shipping capabilities, modern communication systems, logistics hubs and supporting infrastructure, including icebreaking vessels; stress that such investments must guarantee strict compliance with environmental standards and ensure the meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples in policy planning and implementation;

Added:at) strengthen the mandate of the Special Envoy for Arctic Matters by ensuring clearer authority, adequate resources and responsibilities to monitor security and environmental developments, represent the EU in Arctic forums, coordinate Arctic policy, engage with Indigenous communities, and report to the Council and Parliament;

Added:au) call for the creation of a dedicated Arctic unit within the EEAS to foster more comprehensive and proactive engagement with Arctic states and stakeholders; emphasise that the EU should treat the Arctic region as a long-term partner in sustainable prosperity, prioritising collaboration in economic, environmental and security matters; urge the EEAS to build Arctic-specific expertise, including through staff training, and closer cooperation with Arctic communities and institutions, and strengthen EU participation in the working groups of the Arctic Council; stress that this capacity-building must be supported by sufficient funding, including resources for staff training, research and partnership-building with Arctic communities and institutions, to ensure a comprehensive, informed, effective and coordinated approach to EU Arctic policy;

Added:av) explore and establish a formal EU representation in the Faroe Islands to strengthen political dialogue, enhance cooperation on fisheries, climate resilience and sustainable development, and consolidate the EU’s strategic presence in the North Atlantic region;

Added:2. Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and, for information, to the governments and parliaments of Arctic states and to Indigenous representative organisations.