It’s just a half-sentence that can no longer be found, but it is economically – but also ecologically – important. In its new strategy for the Arctic presented on Tuesday, the EU Commission emphasizes that it continues to be against the extraction of oil and natural gas in the region There is no longer any talk of an international agreement that would fundamentally stop drilling.
Norway put pressure on them to give up the blockade
A clear sign also for what is currently the EU’s most important partner in terms of energy: Norway. The country, which supplies Europe with more natural gas than ever, has been pushing for years to be able to develop reserves in its Arctic territories – and it also wanted Brussels’ approval for this. If Europe needs more gas, the Norwegians take the position, it must have it Abandon the blockade against exploration in the Arctic. The current EU strategy is clearly a first step in this direction.
Raw materials of the future
But Brussels is also concerned with the raw materials of the future, for which they are stuck in dependence on China. When presenting the Arctic strategy, Commission President Von der Leyen spoke in detail about the hope of extracting these raw materials in the Arctic, especially in Greenland. They are indispensable for the “green and digital transformation” of Europe. They also want to be at the forefront of shipping routes that are opening up in the Arctic due to climate change. We will not stand idly by as Russia expands its military presence in the Arctic: “We must act and change our fundamental strategic stance.”
However, the new gas from Norway’s Arctic regions will not solve Europe’s problems with its energy supply in the short term. The gas from the far north is not expected before 2040.