The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union accepted on Monday 12th May conclusions on developing an EU policy towards the Arctic region. The text includes a paragraph supporting the establishment of the EU Arctic Information Centre with an office at the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland, Rovaniemi.
According to the conclusion, the Council
"looks forward to the results
of the preparatory action to conduct a Strategic Assessment of
development in the Arctic co-ordinated by the Arctic Centre of the
University of Lapland with a network of European research institutions
of Arctic expertise. The Council requests the Commission to consider the
options proposed by this project to establish an EU Arctic Information
Centre to promote efficient access to Arctic information, to facilitate
dialogues and to communicate on Arctic issues".
In March, the European Parliament accepted a resolution supporting the establishment of the EU Arctic Information Centre.
"We
are delighted for the support expressed first by the Parliament and now
by the Council. It is important that their wish is expressed quite
clearly. The final decision is up to the Commission and we expect to
hear something from there during this year", says Professor Paula
Kankaanpää, director of the Arctic Centre.
The preparatory action
will have its final seminar in Brussels in September 11th, 2014. The
final report of the project will be published by then. The preparatory
action has proceeded well and will produce information relevant for the
EU arctic policy.
The Council conclusions
Strategic Impact Assessment
Additional information:
Professor Paula Kankaanpää, Director, Arctic Centre:
paula.kankaanpaa (at) ulapland.fi
Tel. +358 40 777 78 25
ULapland / Arctic Centre / MH