Finland to host Arctic summit in September
With geopolitical upheaval pushing the Arctic higher up Europe’s security agenda, Finland will host a select group of European leaders in Rovaniemi this September to strengthen the EU’s common approach to the region.
“The Arctic region is an increasingly important part of Europe’s security environment,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in a statement on Monday.
“The European Union has direct interests in its stability, security and sustainable development. It is very valuable to be able to discuss these issues together with a comprehensive group of EU leaders.”
Leaders confirmed to attend include European Council President António Costa, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Romanian President Nicușor Dan.
The Baltic states will be represented by Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb will join the leaders for a working dinner on Sept. 13.
Arctic security has become an increasingly pressing issue for Europe amidst U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements that he wants to take over Greenland and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
In previous years, Finland has hosted summits on the Eastern Flank in 2025, focused on security issues for countries next to or near Russia, and the North South Summit in 2024 that focused on general European security.
The European Arctic Summit will take place Sept. 13-14.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Canada: Canada, U.S. shadow Chinese research ships in the Arctic as concern grows over Snow Dragons’ presence, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Greenland clash left a mark on EU-US relations says Finnish PM, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: EXPLAINER: What you need to know about Iceland’s EU referendum, Reuters
Norway: Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia’s nuclear fleet, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Putin says Russia will start seizing EU vessels if bloc goes after Russian ships, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Coast Guard Operation Frontier Sentinel already underway when Chinese ships arrvied in Bering Sea, CBC News
