Written evidence from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark (DIS0050)

Thank you for your invitation to submit written evidence to the Committee inquiry. Unfortunately we are unable to compile a report specifically for this purpose, but I attach the written statement on our cooperation in the Arctic, which was submitted by our Minister of Foreign Affairs to our Parliament at the beginning of February 2023. The statement gives a thorough overview of concrete Kingdom of Denmark initiatives in the Arctic focussing in particular on international Arctic cooperation. Unfortunately the statement does not exist in translated form, but we have produced the text below in English, which is hopefully helpful.

“The increasing temperatures in the Arctic, which have been approx. three times higher than the global average during the period of 1971-2019, continue to put pressure on the environment and on biodiversity. These climate changes also require demanding adaptions by the people living in the Arctic. In recent years, phenomena such as melting permafrost and wildfires have become more frequent. At the same time, these climate changes are increasing accessibility in the Arctic. This creates commercial opportunities, which in turn may also have negative consequences. For instance to the Arctic environment and an increased need for enhanced Search and Rescue efforts.

In terms of security policy, the recent general intensification of global strategic competition also affects the Arctic and the North Atlantic. Over recent years, the Russian Federation has increased its military strength and expanded its military capabilities in the Arctic. Although its war in Ukraine may have left Russia militarily weakened in the short run, the current state of affairs also renders Russia a less predictable actor in the Arctic. This is a development that we will have to continuously analyze and asses, together with our allies. 

So far, the Russian war in Ukraine has already had some derived consequences for the Arctic region. Most notably, cooperation in the Arctic Council has been put on hold – although Council projects without Russian participation continue. Meanwhile, we see the inclusion of the Arctic states Sweden and Finland into NATO as a positive development that will strengthen our security and cooperation in relation to the Arctic.

The common overall goal of keeping a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for the Arctic remains a cornerstone of the Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic policy. We must work to avoid the Arctic becoming a stage for confrontations that originate elsewhere in the world. Therefore, the Danish government will continue to work for preventing conflicts and instead promoting the further development and protection of the Arctic region - even if this has become more challenging. At the same time, it has been decided to strengthen the Danish Armed Forces' presence in the Arctic and the North Atlantic with a view of enhancing surveillance and enforcement of sovereignty.”

I hope you find this useful. 

April 2023