The European Union should take on a more strategic and proactive role in the European Arctic, 12 member states including Germany, France and the Netherlands said in a joint statement on Monday.
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noel Barrot, European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela and President of Romania Nicusor Dan pose for a family photo during The European Arctic Summit, in Rovaniemi, Finland, on September 14, 2026. Lehtikuva/Jouni Porsanger via REUTERS
Finland, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden called on the union to commit to strengthening its Arctic engagement "with adequate resources and in line with evolving geopolitical realities."
"We agree that the EU needs to step up its action to promote stability, sustainable development and prosperity while safeguarding its interests," they said after a meeting of the countries' leaders in Rovaniemi in northern Finland.
