Arctic Frontiers Conference: Remarks by the High Representative Kaja Kallas at the Joint press conference with Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway
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It is a pleasure to be here in Tromsø, and thank you for hosting us.
For quite some time, the Arctic has been the region of low tension and high cooperation. Of course, the security environment in Europe has completely changed after Russia started the war in Ukraine. China might not be buying up the Arctic just yet, but it is steadily expanding its footprint. And the United States’ outspoken claims to Greenland underline the simple reality: the Arctic is no longer a quiet corner on the map. It is the front line of the global power competition.
This morning, Espen and I, we visited the Norwegian coast guard ship, and this ship, that you can see just in front of this hotel, is a strong symbol of what it takes to protect the security in some of the world's harshest conditions.
Hybrid threats are growing steadily in intensity and frequency: GPS jamming, sabotage, spying, actions below the threshold of war are real here and elsewhere in Europe.
This goes together with Russia's enduring military buildup in the high north. In response, European allies are stepping up on Arctic security, and the European Union is ready to do its part.
But to be very clear, security is not about soldiers and ships. It is all about resilient societies, it is trusted institutions, it is secure infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods. Here also, the European Union contributes greatly, including through financial support, scientific cooperation and research tools.
Together with Member States, we are updating our EU Arctic strategy. This will reflect the changed security landscape and have Greenland as a core pillar. To keep the region safe, partnerships are indispensable. Norway is one of the EU's closest partners and most trusted partners.
Together with NATO, we work to ensure the stability, security and deterrence in the high north. EU-Norway Security and Defence Partnership is moving from paper to action, and we are deepening cooperation in cyber security, maritime security, and the protection of critical infrastructure.
And as a concrete example, the EU’s SAFE defence financing instrument is also open to Norway and Norwegian companies are also going to continue to perform strongly in the European defence fund programs. These examples show how mutually beneficial our partnership is, and of course the EU is ready to take this partnership even further.
So dear Espen, dear Minister, thank you for having us here today.
Q&A
Q. Madam Commissioner, what is your assessment of the latest peace negotiations between Ukraine, the US and Russia? Do you see any indication that Moscow is finally making concessions? So, how do you assess prospects for a ceasefire?
We have seen a strong push for peace for months already now, but it seems a bit one-sided, because, yes, Ukraine agrees to different concessions, but we have not heard about any concessions on the Russian side. The opposite, actually. If there was an agreement that they are not bombing the energy infrastructure, but they continue to bomb maternity wards, trains, everything else, to cause as much pain and suffering for the people in minus 20 degrees cold. So, I do not see really any signs from Russia to want peace. They are going for the maximalist demands, and that is why our response is clear. We need to put more pressure on Russia so that they would go from pretending to negotiate, to actually negotiate.
Q. What is the most important input you have received here in Norway, with regard to the update of the EU's Arctic strategy? And, for both of you, what is the potential with regard to the development of the EU-Norway partnership within security and defence, when it comes to the high north and the Arctic?
The most important input on this trip actually has been the security side. So, we had very good briefings also about the situation in the high north and this is very relevant to also develop further our Arctic strategy. And of course, we remain in close contact, and we also asked concretely a Norwegian input for the Arctic strategy. So, we are working there. What is our potential? We have a lot of potential to move from these topics that we have already touched upon to really cooperating on maritime security, fighting foreign malign influence and misinformation, also the cyber security and hybrid threats that we can work on.
Q. My question is from the Icelandic point of view. Madam Kallas, you mentioned in your discussion that you will soon write an agreement on security cooperation between EU and Iceland. And since Iceland is, of course, in the same situation as Norway – increasing cooperation, but not a member – and on top of that Iceland does not have a military, what do you see the benefits of that agreement when it has been signed to , shall we say, your activities or your intentions in increasing Arctic security?
Yes, the Security and Defence Partnership with Iceland is about to be signed. And againwe see a lot of room where we can cooperate. In this security environment, first what we need to do is share information. The Maritime Domain Awareness is one of the things but also fighting the same threats that come from different parts, also as Espen mentioned. So, saying that also to you, of course, the European Union doors remain open, and I am happy that we are still the region that countries want to join. But it is up to your people to decide which way it goes. But definitely, deepening this partnership, that goes both ways, including, the maritime domain, the critical infrastructure undersea and the protection of those but also fighting foreign malign influence and disinformation campaigns.
Q. To what extent do you both see China as part of the evolving security challenges in this region, given its close cooperation with Russia in the Arctic and also its support for Russia over Ukraine. And, a related question, what approach do you think countries in this region should then take towards cooperation with China in the Arctic on scientific research, but also in relation to trade?
First, I want to say that we do not see the presence of China here just yet. But, it is clear that they are showing growing interest in the Arctic: ports, transport hubs, keeping in view of the climate change and the warming of the climate and opening of the trade routes. So, what the intelligence services are warning is that it creates security risks, because the leverage over the supply chains is something that we have already experienced, if those supply chains or trade routes are weaponised, for that matter. So, if we think about the global rare earth market, China has a significant share. We know that there are also critical raw materials in Greenland, for that matter. So, Europe must stay vigilant in this case and that is what we are doing.
Q. My question is, for Madam Kallas. There are ongoing negotiations between Denmark, Greenland and the US at the moment regarding the future of Greenland. What role do you think the EU could play in these negotiations, and how can the EU assist Denmark and Greenland if they want to assist? And finally, how do you assess the situation right now between Greenland, Denmark and the US?
There is a working group between Denmark, Greenland and the United States. And I think the process is important to bring the tensions down. And I think we are all very happy that, for now, the tensions have gone down. So, we are ready to assist both Greenland and Denmark, whatever they require. What we are doing on our side for Greenland is to increase our support, financial support, but also to the societies. And we just recently announced a new package. So, we can do that to make them also stronger. But of course, for the topics they are going to discuss, for us it is important that sovereignty, territorial integrity and also the right of self-determination are really considered.
Q. At this time, when we need science, science is under threat, Professor Åsa Rennermalm, just said at the stage. She spoke about an academic freedom that is under attack. This is happening in the US, but it is also happening in other places. How can the EU and Norway work better in order to protect academic freedom and democratic values, and as Norway is both in and out of this Europe, is it time to pursue a close partnership for science, between Norway and the EU?
These were really serious points that the professor raised, and we see this in the news cycles as well. Science is under heavy strain right now and that is why, academic freedom in Europe is so far respected. And we have even made a call to, all the scientists in the world. We have a special programme that you can come to European universities if you are struggling there. So, keeping this in mind and also understanding that very often, you have the political directions of superpowers than what the parties in different countries are also taking up. Now the question is, of course, in democracies, the support of the people. Now, science is complicated. Science is raising issues that require complicated answers. But in times of populism, people need very simple answers. If you have extremely complicated problems, you just cannot have simple answers. So, I would say to the people: do not trust simple answers.
Link to video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-284328