The Arctic region is of key strategic importance for the European Union, in view of climate change, raw materials as well as geostrategic influence. For this reason the Commission presented a Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the regions with the title: "A stronger EU engagement for a greener, peaceful and prosperous Arctic".

The Communication responds to the geopolitical, environmental, economic, security and social challenges and opportunities. It seeks to forster cooperation with partners on sustainable approaches to overcome them.

EU funding will also be directed towards driving the green transition in the Arctic, for the benefit of Arctic populations. In this context Interreg programmes such as the NPA, the new Interreg Aurora, and ENI programmes Karelia and Kolarctic are  mentioned as important instruments for supporting sustainable development in the Arctic.

The EU will establish a European Commission office in Greenland, which will raise the profile of Arctic matters in the EU's external relations.