Beggar at the Feast? International, Regional Regulation of the Arctic: is there a role for the EU?

• Main Author: Archer, Clive
• Other Authors: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2010
• Subjects: Arctic; [SHS.SCIPO]Humanities and Social Sciences/Political science; Canada
• Online Access: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00534383; https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00534383/document

This paper will examine the regulation of activity in the Arctic and, in particular, look at the development of the European Union's interest in the Arctic region to see how that fits into the wider picture. This introduction will make some background points about the need for regulation in the Arctic. Given the varied nature of the Arctic, both in physical and legal terms, it is perhaps not surprising that a variety of requests have been made for greater regulation of the area in one form or another. One way to estimate the demand for regulation is to examine the national Arctic strategies of the coastal states to see whether and where such a requirement exists. It is noticeable that the states with by far the greatest share of Arctic territory—the Russian Federation and Canada—stress aspects of national control and interest in their Arctic strategies, whereas the other Arctic states are more concerned with pursuing their interests through international cooperation and possible regulation.