European Arctic Summit: Press remarks by High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas upon arrival
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Good morning everybody.
It is great to be here in the Arctic and we just had a wonderful show also of planes and how it all works up here.
It is important for the Arctic, of course, the climate change is having a huge impact that is also opening a new geopolitical contest, when it comes to maritime routes, for example.
We also see that Russia is opening the ex-Soviet military bases. They are also doing missile exercises here in the high north. We also see that China is increasingly more interested in the region, so we have to remain vigilant.
That is why we are also putting forward a new EU Arctic Strategy that has security at its core, because it is clear that this is part of the security architecture of Europe. In this strategy, of course we will come out with this later in October, but clearly there will be also concrete projects.
When it comes to where security, climate change or environment are very much connected, it is also a worry that we have about Russia's shadow fleet. These are ticking ecological bombs also in our waters, and at the same time, they are also fuelling Russia's war in Ukraine.
So, these are all the topics that we are going to discuss today, and we will put also forward in our strategy.
Q&A
Q. How is [inaudible] Russia in the Arctic while it is tied up in Ukraine?
It is very much so. We were just given this overview and short presentation by the forces here, what they see. Like I said, opening ex-Soviet military bases here, doing the missile testing here in the high north, clearly showing that this is a very important area. And like I said, climate change is opening new maritime routes, but it is also increasingly important for the rest of the world. So, this increasing power competition is really on show here.
Q. How much will Greenland be discussed today, and what is your take on the [inaudible]? Do you think it is been resolved, or are there more surprises that we should expect regarding with the US?
We will probably not concretely discuss about Greenland because we are talking about Arctic in general. But of course, this will come up. But I think it is important for us to keep the unified stance and then to address the issues that are concerning for all of us. Like I said, security, but also climate change issues that bring this new power politics competition here.
Q. You mentioned the Arctic strategy? Could you tell us what to expect in terms of projects, any at all?
No, I cannot reveal it now. We will discuss some of the proposals also today. I am sure that the Finnish Prime Minister also put forward something. We will talk about capabilities in the Arctic that are necessary, icebreakers, for example, that are necessary here. So, we will reveal the strategy and not to be upfront of our announcements.
Q. What is your reaction on Russia's strike on this train station in Western Ukraine yesterday that narrowly missed a bunch of ex-European leader? What do you think?
I think that it is clearly meant to scare Western countries from supporting Ukraine, from going to Ukraine to show support. It was clearly a message to the Western world. The question for us is: What do we take from that message? I think we should act the opposite. We should show that we are there for Ukraine and we are not scared off, because otherwise Russia will just achieve what they want, which is the submission of Ukraine. And like I have said several times, this is not their end goal. Their end goal is much more. So, we have to stand firm on this.
Thank you very much.
Watch the video of the press remarks.
Press conference at the European Arctic Summit: remarks by High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas
Q&A
Q. In this summit, Finland told that we want the EU to acquire a common fleet of icebreakers built by Finland. My question is simple: Do you think that EU should use its common funds to buy icebreakers from Finland? And I'd like to have a brief answer from everyone, starting from Chancellor Merz.
I think we all agreed that, considering the geopolitical situation that we are in, and considering also the climate change and the opening of the maritime routes, we need more icebreakers or ships that are able to navigate in this very difficult situation. Yes, Finland has the capability of building these icebreakers, but clearly, we have procurement rules and all this in place in the European Union. So, whoever makes a better offer gets the deal.