Practical information
Lunch debate with Lassi Heininen, University lecturer and Adjunct Professor at the faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lapland, Finland.
Dr. Lassi Heininen presented during his study “Arctic Strategies and Policies. Inventory and Comparative Study” during the lunch debate at Ifri Brussels.
He highlighted the main challenges for the Arctic region (sovereignty and national security, energy resources, climate change and transportation, among other issues) and made an overview of the priorities of each of the eight Arctic States: Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States, and also, the European Union.
In his opinion, the Arctic is a peaceful and stable region which could become a model for international cooperation, despite increasing talks of a race for natural resources in the region. He said that we have to consider the Arctic as a new region with challenges, not as the scenario for a new cold war.
He added that the Arctic is affected by globalized with issues such as energy security and increasingly interested actors, such as China and South Korea. Yet, the Arctic countries have yet to appreciate those emerging aspects.
Other events
Europe’s Southern Courtyard and Southeastern Neighborhood: The Greek Perspective (...and what Europe could learn from great European art)
Greece stands at the crossroads of Europe’s southern flank, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean, a pivotal position for regional security and stability.
Navigating the Taiwan Strait Tensions: Perspectives from Japan, the Philippines, and France
As tensions continue to rise in the Taiwan Strait and discussions grow about hybrid frictions potentially escalating into a kinetic conflict in the coming years, neighboring countries are bracing for impact. Japan and the Philippines would be on the front lines if a crisis were to erupt in the Taiwan Strait.
France-Germany, The Engine Under Pressure
Annual Conference of The Study Committe on Franco-German Relations (Cerfa) ─ Faced with a profoundly disrupted strategic and economic environment, Franco-German cooperation is more than ever the central pillar of Europe's future. The war in Ukraine, energy and technological dependence, and uncertainty about the strength of the transatlantic ties require urgent deepening of European sovereignty, both in terms of defence and economic and industrial competitiveness.