A major new player has stepped up in what we are going, with huge hyperbole, to call the Arctic Wars!

Following up on Russia, Canada and America’s declarations that at least a piece of the Arctic is theirs, Europe is getting on the scene.

The European Commission has released the “first step toward an EU Arctic Policy”. As AP notes, “the move is likely to irk Russia, Canada, the United States and Norway, which are issuing new territorial claims in the polar region”.

“We cannot remain impassive in the face of the alarming developments affecting the Arctic climate and, in consequence, the rest of our planet,” says Joe Borg, European Commissioner in charge of the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (press release).

“On the other hand, the combination of the climatic changes and the recent technological developments opens up new opportunities interlaced with challenges.”

To help with these challenge-laced opportunities, Europe will examine at the possibility of shipping navigating the Northwest passage; look to Norway and Russia for cooperation on oil extraction; and put in place a new research infrastruction to help scientists get Arctic data (pdf).

The EU Observer notes that the European Commission appears to differ in opinion from the European Parliament:

… in October, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of the negotiation of an international Arctic treaty to protect the high north.

Although the parliament’s resolution also supports the sustainable development of the Arctic, including for fossil fuel extraction, some environmental groups would like to see an Arctic treaty that mirrors the Antarctic Treaty, which set aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, banned territorial claims and prohibited military activities.

The commission however rejects the parliament’s perspective.

Image: NASA/JPL/ASF