Commissioner Jozef Síkela visits Iceland to discuss Arctic matters

In addition to attending the conference, Commissioner Síkela took part in a range of meetings and events aimed at advancing the EU’s engagement and partnerships in the Arctic and North Atlantic, including with the Foreign Ministers of Iceland and Canada, respectively, and the Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands. The Commissioner also met with youth representatives from the Arctic to hear their perspectives and explore how the EU can better engage with young people living in the Arctic, raise awareness of the opportunities available through EU cooperation, and support them as they take their first steps into adulthood.

Commissioner Síkela participated in the main Plenary session of the conference, where in his speech he highlighted five key priorities for the region:

🔹 Investing in the Arctic in ways that benefit its people
🔹 Developing a vision for the Northern Neighbourhood
🔹 Strengthening security and resilience with like-minded partners
🔹 Promoting sustainable development through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative
🔹 Accelerating action to combat climate change

Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions across the Arctic, Europe and beyond, the Commissioner stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the EU and Arctic states to build a more secure, resilient, and sustainable future for the region.

Síkela addresses the ACA conference 2026

© European Union, 2026