The EU's new Arctic strategy: Opportunities for Europe's digital sovereignty

Annegret Bendiek and Svenja Holste

No 34/2026, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: To date, the Arctic has played only a minor role in European efforts to achieve digital sovereignty. Yet digital infrastructure in the High North is a key component of this endeavour. The European Union's (EU) Arctic Strategy, which is due to be updated this year, should therefore not be limited to traditional security issues. This is particularly true in light of hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea region. Of particular importance are European projects to expand Arctic submarine cable infrastructure, which constitute critical infrastructure. However, these initiatives require an ambitious EU that recognises its capacity to deliver innovation and sustainability in the development of green technologies.

Keywords: European Union (EU); Arctic Strategy; digital sovereignty; submarine cable infrastructure; critical infrastructure; Arctic Council; West Arctic Passage; Polar Passage; Polar Connect; Far North Fiber (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:swpcom:343141

DOI: 10.18449/2026C34

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