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In challenging times for European energy security, the European Union (EU) is seeking to extend its energy policy powers. At the same time, with its message that the High North represents diversification away from less stable energy regions, Norway is trying to get attention in Brussels. This article inquires into the place of Norway and its Arctic oil and gas in the processes of developing an Energy Policy for Europe and the Northern Dimension Initiative. Central questions to be addressed are whether Norwegian Arctic areas are emerging as a new energy region to rely on for diversified oil and gas imports for the European Union, and whether Norway, as a small state but a major energy exporter with a considerable part of the Barents Sea shelf, is able to take advantage of this position in its diplomatic relations with Brussels. The study shows that Norway has managed to use its Arctic oil and gas to create awareness of the Norwegian High North in Brussels between 2006 and 2008, but these efforts have not resulted in more active political interest on the part of the EU. A combination of institutional confusion in the EU, lack of coherence and clarity in the Norwegian High North initiative, and Norway's established reputation as an energy supplier place important constraints on the prospects for more concrete political attention from the EU, and thus on Norway's ability to take advantage of its High North oil and gas in a foreign policy context. ; En période difficile sur le plan de la sécurité énergétique en Europe, l'Union européenne (UE) cherche à étendre ses pouvoirs en matière de politique de l'énergie. Par la même occasion, grâce au message qu'elle envoie et selon lequel le Grand Nord représente une diversification loin des régions énergétiques moins stables, la Norvège essaie d'attirer l'attention à Bruxelles. Cet article se penche sur le rôle de la Norvège de même que sur celui du gaz et du pétrole de l'Arctique dans les processus d'élaboration d'une politique de l'énergie pour l'Europe et dans le cadre de l'initiative de la Dimension septentrionale. Parmi les questions centrales à aborder, notons celle à savoir si les régions arctiques de la Norvège sont en train d'émerger comme nouvelle région énergétique dont on pourra dépendre pour les importations diversifiées de pétrole et de gaz de l'Union européenne, de même que la question à savoir si la Norvège, en tant que petit État mais que grand exportateur d'énergie ayant un accès considérable à la plateforme de la mer de Barents, est en mesure de profiter de cette situation dans le cadre de ses relations diplomatiques avec Bruxelles. Cette étude montre que la Norvège a réussi à utiliser son pétrole et son gaz de l'Arctique pour bien faire connaître le Grand Nord norvégien à Bruxelles entre 2006 et 2008, mais que ces efforts n'ont pas donné lieu à un plus grand intérêt politique actif de la part de l'EU. Un ensemble de confusion institutionnelle au sein de l'EU, de manque de cohérence et de clarté sur le plan de l'initiative du Grand Nord norvégien de même que de la réputation établie de la Norvège en tant que fournisseur d'énergie imposent d'importantes contraintes aux possibilités d'avoir une attention politique plus concrète de la part de l'EU et, par conséquent, à l'aptitude de la Norvège à miser sur son pétrole et son gaz du Grand Nord dans un contexte de politique étrangère.

"Written by a group of leading experts on Arctic affairs, this book offers a historically informed and comprehensive study of the geopolitics and security challenges of the Arctic. The key aim of the work is to identify the conditions for cooperation, stability and peace in the Arctic and to reach beyond simple description and expectation in order to explore in depth some of the main factors that will determine the future of international relations in the Arctic. Furthermore, it addresses key topics such as the geopolitical significance of the Arctic, the importance of oil and gas resources in the Arctic, and it questions what the main characteristics of governance in the Arctic are, and how institutions and regimes can promote stability and security in the region. The volume maintains three layers of focus. The first relates to Russia, the biggest stakeholder in the Artic. The second relates to the dynamics within the Arctic and the third layer relates to developments outside the region, highlighting that we cannot understand the Arctic in isolation from global developments such as energy markets, security conflicts and NATO-Russian antagonism. This book will be of much interest to students of Arctic politics, security studies, geopolitics, Russian and Scandinavian politics, and international relations in general"--

"This study examines three historical maritime disputes to draw lessons and insights for the future of maritime governance in a rapidly transforming Arctic. The historical case studies--the 1920 Svalbard Treaty and the implementation of the fisheries protection zone in the Svalbard Archipelago; the 1936 Montreux Convention and the challenge of adapting this instrument to modern maritime requirements amid increased regional tensions in the Black and Eastern Mediterranean Seas; and the 1961 Antarctic Treaty and the efforts leading to the establishment of a marine protected area in the Ross Sea--are highly instructive cases for a region that also must balance a confluence of international economic development, environmental protection, and security concerns along with strategic and ecologically sensitive maritime spaces. While historically unique, important lessons for the Arctic and its future governing needs are gleaned that address challenging geography, the assertion of national sovereignty, and the pursuit of shared environmental goals. It is hoped that these lessons can inform the development of future Arctic governance structures and mechanisms"--Provided by publisher