North by northwest: the pending enlargement to the Arctic and North Atlantic

Le résumé fourni par la source

This article analyses the historically peripheral position of the Nordic and North Atlantic states within European integration, characterised by selective participation, opt-outs and alternative arrangements such as the European Economic Area (EEA). This distance is explained by several factors including political culture, economic sovereignty and strong transatlantic ties. However, the current geopolitical context – particularly tensions in the Arctic, shifting US policies and Russia’s war in Ukraine – is reshaping this relationship. The cases of Greenland, Iceland and Norway illustrate a potential move towards closer EU integration driven by strategic, energy and trade considerations. At the same time, Denmark and Sweden are reconsidering deeper integration, especially in monetary terms, while the United Kingdom shows signs of renewed alignment. The main argument is that a “north by northwest” enlargement could emerge, strengthening the EU’s economic and strategic capacity – particularly in the Arctic – while also requiring significant institutional adaptation.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.