New report: The EU should establish its own Arctic centre within a year

This is the conclusion of a new report from the High North Center at Nord University. The report was presented to the European Parliament in Brussels in September.

The researchers analyse the EU's Arctic policy and offer recommendations for how the EU should approach the High North going forward.

One concrete proposal is to establish a centre that collects and integrates information from various sources. The report calls it the 'EU Arctic Monitoring & Fusion Cell.'

The centre would gather data from satellites, information on ship movements, intelligence from partners, and information from open sources.

By analysing this information together, the EU would be better able to detect suspicious activity and respond at an early stage. It could also make it easier to share alerts quickly between institutions and countries.

"Much of the information already exists, but it is scattered. The EU needs a single place that can see the full picture," says Andreas Raspotnik, director of the High North Center at Nord University and first author of the report.

One of several proposals

The recommendation is one of several in the report, which was commissioned by the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. Its main argument is that EU Arctic policy has so far consisted of many different initiatives but has lacked a clear direction.

The policy is being updated this autumn. The EU must now decide what it wants to achieve in the Arctic and follow through with action, according to the report.

"Policy must be backed by investment in the Arctic and strategic thinking on infrastructure and supply security," Raspotnik says.

The proposal to establish such a unit is linked to the hybrid threat landscape in the North. Damage to internet cables and data networks in the region can occur suddenly and without warning. Detection can take time, and it may be difficult to determine who is responsible.

The researchers therefore believe there is an urgent need to establish the unit. They propose that work to set it up should take place within six to twelve months.

At the same time, the cables must be better protected. Local communities must also receive support for backup solutions in case the network goes down.

Indigenous people should participate in decision-making

The report puts forward eight proposals. In addition to improved monitoring and data sharing, the researchers also recommend establishing a permanent Arctic unit within the European Commission.

This unit would have its own staff and budget. It would be responsible for gathering information from the region. This would give the EU important insight before new regulations and investments affecting people and businesses in the North are implemented.

The researchers also recommend that the EU invest in the transport corridor between Kiruna and Narvik. This would help secure supplies of critical raw materials to Europe.

The EU should also continue supporting sparsely populated areas in the North, and strengthen cooperation with Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. Canada and the United Kingdom could also join this cooperation.

The report emphasises that Indigenous and local communities must have genuine influence over decision-making. Without this, projects could be put on hold, the researchers warn.

Raspotnik hopes the report can contribute to the discussion on the EU's role in the Arctic.

"This is also about building strong local communities in Northern Europe," he says.

Reference:

Raspotnik et al. Focus on the High North: Upgrading the EU's Arctic policy and protecting the EU's interests in a rapidly evolving region, European Union, 2026.

This content is paid for and presented by Nord University

This content is created by Nord University's communication staff, who use this platform to communicate science and share results from research with the public. Nord University is one of more than 80 owners of ScienceNorway.no. Read more here.

More content from Nord University:

• 

  How a small Norwegian company uses AI to reach customers in Japan

• 

  Report: Psychological support proved key for displaced Ukrainians returning to work

• 

  This unique picture book features two Indigenous languages and English

• 

  Ukrainians forced from their homes: "They lost everything, then started new businesses”

• 

  Kateryna's university has been bombed three times – but she's still teaching

• 

  5 things you didn't know about smart cities in the Arctic