The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making

The EU is currently reviewing its interests in the High North and has recently started developing an Arctic policy. This article aims at explaining this foreign policy expansion by applying a theoretical framework consisting of three levels: (1) the internal level – viewing EU foreign policy (EFP)...

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Main Author: Njord Wegge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cappelen Damm Akademisk NOASP 2012-04-01
Series:Arctic Review on Law and Politics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/30
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author Njord Wegge
author_facet Njord Wegge
author_sort Njord Wegge
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description The EU is currently reviewing its interests in the High North and has recently started developing an Arctic policy. This article aims at explaining this foreign policy expansion by applying a theoretical framework consisting of three levels: (1) the internal level – viewing EU foreign policy (EFP) as the product of an “organization;” (2) the state level – in specifically accounting for the role played by external actors, primarily states; and (3) the systemic level – viewing the EU and its foreign policy as dependent on structural conditions within the global system. Through interviews, document studies, as well as existing scholarly research, the article identifies impact from all three analytical levels, including how the supranational and member-state level combined has been decisive in shaping the final policy outcome. The research identifies the crucial role played by other Arctic states, particularly Canada and Norway. Finally, on the systemic level, key conditions such as global warming and economic forces are recognized as relevant explanatory factors behind the development of the EU’s Arctic policy. Keywords: EU Arctic policy, European foreign policy (EFP), International rela- tions (IR). Citation: Arctic Review on Law and Politics, vol. 3, 1/2012 p. 6–29. ISSN 1891-6252
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spelling doaj.art-2427e1224c9147c38c2171cddfcf64612024-02-01T15:59:51ZengCappelen Damm Akademisk NOASPArctic Review on Law and Politics2387-45622012-04-013110.23865/arctic.v3.30The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the makingNjord Wegge The EU is currently reviewing its interests in the High North and has recently started developing an Arctic policy. This article aims at explaining this foreign policy expansion by applying a theoretical framework consisting of three levels: (1) the internal level – viewing EU foreign policy (EFP) as the product of an “organization;” (2) the state level – in specifically accounting for the role played by external actors, primarily states; and (3) the systemic level – viewing the EU and its foreign policy as dependent on structural conditions within the global system. Through interviews, document studies, as well as existing scholarly research, the article identifies impact from all three analytical levels, including how the supranational and member-state level combined has been decisive in shaping the final policy outcome. The research identifies the crucial role played by other Arctic states, particularly Canada and Norway. Finally, on the systemic level, key conditions such as global warming and economic forces are recognized as relevant explanatory factors behind the development of the EU’s Arctic policy. Keywords: EU Arctic policy, European foreign policy (EFP), International rela- tions (IR). Citation: Arctic Review on Law and Politics, vol. 3, 1/2012 p. 6–29. ISSN 1891-6252 https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/30EU Arctic policyEuropean foreign policy (EFP)International rela- tions (IR)
spellingShingle Njord Wegge
The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making
Arctic Review on Law and Politics
EU Arctic policy
European foreign policy (EFP)
International rela- tions (IR)
title The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making
title_full The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making
title_fullStr The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making
title_full_unstemmed The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making
title_short The EU and the Arctic: European foreign policy in the making
title_sort eu and the arctic european foreign policy in the making
topic EU Arctic policy
European foreign policy (EFP)
International rela- tions (IR)
url https://arcticreview.no/index.php/arctic/article/view/30
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