Ahead of the upcoming EU Arctic Summit, Germany plans to push forward the security dimension, as part of a review of its current ‘Arctic Strategy.’ Government circles stated on Saturday that Russia’s increased militarization of the Arctic is escalating the situation. Germany has long been actively engaged in the region, for instance, by participating in NATO’s “Cold Response” maneuver, which is intended to highlight the increased readiness along NATO’s northern and northwest flanks. Furthermore, government sources indicated that gaining “independent access” to outer space is also a key German interest. Norway’s Andoya space center, which hosts the German Isar Aerospace orbital launch vehicle, views the German government as a “gateway to space in the High North.”
In the EU context, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on July 2025 that the 2021 EU Arctic Strategy would be updated; this is expected later in 2026. The discussions are scheduled to cover matters related to security, infrastructure, connectivity, resilience, and sustainability.
The summit, hosted in Rovaniemi by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on September 13th and 14th, is set to bring together a high-profile delegation. Alongside Merz, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark, Prime Minister Kristen Michal of Estonia, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of Latvia, President Gitanas Nausėda of Lithuania, President Nicuşor Dan of Romania, and EU Commissioner Jean-Noël Barrot of France are expected to attend. Also scheduled are EU Council President António Costa, High Representative Kaja Kallas for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela. During a welcoming dinner on the evening of September 13th, Finnish President Alexander Stubb will be joined by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir.
