Rovaniemi, 14 September 2026: In Finland, the Chancellor held talks with European partners and representatives of the EU institutions on a common EU strategic approach to the Arctic. The programme included demonstrations at the Lapland Air Wing air base beforehand.
In light of growing geopolitical, economic and environmental developments, the region is becoming increasingly important. Finland’s Prime Minister and host of the meeting, Petteri Orpo, warned of a growing threat from Russia, stating that the country is “a constant threat to the whole of Europe”.
The Chancellor urged everyone to “take this threat seriously” and “do whatever is necessary”. Only if Europe and NATO are united and stand together can freedom be defended and peace be preserved.
Chancellor Merz had already met Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo for talks the evening before.
During the two-day summit, attended by several EU heads of state and government as well as representatives of EU institutions, discussions centred on the European Union's Arctic strategy.
A revised version of the strategy adopted in 2021 is due to be presented in the autumn.
A joint declaration was signed at the summit, calling on the European Union to play a strategic and proactive role in the region.
The Federal Chancellor emphasised how the Arctic had become a geopolitical hotspot, also adding that the region is “of crucial importance for Europe’s security and stability”.