Press Release: Council conclusions on developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region

At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting held in Brussels on the 12 May 2014, the Council of the European Union adopted conclusions on developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region.

The Council welcomed the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of June 2012 on Developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region, which sets out the path for the EU's increased engagement in the Arctic. The Arctic is a region of growing strategic importance and the Council agreed that the EU should now further enhance its contribution to Arctic cooperation.

ESO: Background information: Disagreements over animal rights issues have prevented the EU from gaining full observer status at the Arctic Council http://www.europeansources.info/record/disagreements-over-animal-rights-issues-have-prevented-the-eu-from-gaining-full-observer-status-at-the-arctic-council/

ESO: Background information: Arctic Scramble: Russia to Flex Military Muscle in Far North http://www.europeansources.info/record/arctic-scramble-russia-to-flex-military-muscle-in-far-north/

EurActiv, 18.07.14: France wants to spearhead EU strategy on Arctic region http://www.euractiv.com/sections/sustainable-dev/france-wants-spearhead-eu-strategy-arctic-region-303559

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