This transcript was automatically generated and may contain errors.

Good morning.

Pleasure to be here in Norabanemi and I'm glad to see so many European leaders gathered here today.

Although your presence, it's underlined a very simple fact.

The Arctic is changing dramatically fast, and this change is driving the geopolitical importance of this region,

region, and whatever happens here in the Arctic, it impacts Europe directly.

Therefore, We need to be more present, more strategically, more focused, and more visible,

and, to that end, we are preparing new EU Arctic strategy.

I've been working on it closely with my colleagues over the past months and I want to use this opportunity today to introduce the main parameters. Of this strategy to, fellow leaders.

The climate change, new trade routes, the growing geopolitical importance and tensions, and, also increasing focus on the natural resources, making the Arctic for, region of a strategic importance,

for Europe, and I think the EU can offer a lot strong partnership based on shared values,

reliability and equality, and,

I think we just confirmed this, just recently.

I accompanied President von der Leyen to Greenland and in Nk we introduced a partnership package backed with at least €200 million.

And this is a foundation also for things we want to do in the whole Arctic area because the last strategy from 21 was focusing just on a few things.

So the new strategy will address this main changes and wants to Bring introduce Europe and and more intense European engagement and it will focus on three main areas security and peace,

economic development.

And local communities but with climate as a cross-cutting priority over Olof them.

And of course,

local communities very important because the people living here in the Arctic are mainly affected by the Change and everything what we will do here we want to do with stand together. Thank you.

How do you address the new shipping route of China? Is that part of the strategy? Will scrutiny towards China?

I think the new trade routes, new shipping routes, the possibility to shorten.

The, route from Asia to Europe should be a part, of, of, of the discussion of the strategy based on the like a shared,

approach and, basically to simply to better use the opportunity for the EU and for the non-EU Arctic partners.

What are your main strategic interests in the Arctic region, Europe led?

I said everything what is happening here is directly impacting Europe. It is climate.

The Arctic is basically warming 4 times faster than than the world's average,

and it has a direct impact on the Arctic security, economic resilience.

This is basically every single piece directly, so I said that we have 3 main priorities.

Peace and security, economic development, including natural resources, local communities,

but with the climate as a as a as a cross-cutting priority. Thank you.