EU details Arctic strategy, prioritising security through maritime hub

The European Union has laid out its new Arctic strategy to establish a maritime security hub led by member states to share information and improve monitoring of maritime activities amid climate change and growing geopolitical competition from China, Russia and the United States.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen claims on Tuesday "The Arctic is one place where the tectonic plates of geopolitics are colliding" and calls it part of the European Union.

She points out the bloc must alter its strategic posture in the Arctic while Russia is rebuilding its military footprint there.

"Rules that have underpinned stability in Arctic can no longer be taken for granted," says von der Leyen.

The strategy, presented by the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, will work with member states and Arctic partners, in coordination with NATO, to protect critical infrastructure and strengthen Europe's ability to operate in Arctic conditions, including ramping up icebreaker capacity.