The EU Arctic policy and regional policy is North Norway European Office's most important field of work, because this policy is directly linked to regional development in the north, in all the policy / subject areas we work with. Both our owners, partners, the business community in the region, as well as various organizations and national political environments and authorities have a great interest in what we do, and the results of this.
Especially towards the EU Arctic policy, NNEO works closely with the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA). We work continuously with the EU Commission and the European Parliament, to spread knowledge about our regions, what values our regions can contribute with and what the consequences of a too strong focus on protection and security policy will have for our societies in the north. The office arranges, gives lectures and speeches and participates in many seminars, conferences and meetings in this field.
When the EU last adopted a new Arctic policy in 2016, NNEO was heavily involved in the Arctic Stakeholder Forum process, which resulted in a report with input on specific focus areas and measures. In 2021, a revised Arctic policy for the EU will be adopted. Also in this process, the office has been much involved through meetings, public consultations and in engaging environments in the northern part of the country.
The EU Arctic policy is based on 3 pillars:
1. Climate change and the environment
2. Sustainable development
3. International co-operation on Arctic issues, which in recent years has been strongly influenced by geopolitics and security policy.
The policy area does not have budgets, but through the EU's main priorities, the Green Deal and digitalization, along with research and development, and not least their industrial strategy, a significant increase in financial support for development projects in the European Arctic is expected.