Known as the "Gateway to the Arctic," the Finnish city of Rovaniemi sits directly on the Arctic Circle. Its forests are glowing in autumn colors as European leaders gather here at the invitation of Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo to discuss a new EU strategy for the Arctic. Climate change and Russia’s war against Ukraine have thrust the High North into the center of European attention.
"There is a high demand for concrete EU action in the Arctic," Orpo said. "Our security environment has changed fundamentally. The Arctic has emerged as a central arena of great power competition."
The prime minister added that the Arctic's critical natural resources are also "attracting interest."
A changing security environment in the High North
The changing security environment was a central theme throughout the summit. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Russia is reopening former Soviet military bases in the region and conducting missile exercises in the High North.
