passage, but that the country owning these EEZ has exclusive rights on the exploitation of its natural resources, J. Reminding that, according to UNCLOS, a country must prove the geological boundaries on its continental plate to claim a territory, K. Further reminding that these continental shelf boundaries are debatable and difficult to document because of the current presence of ice, L. Regretting that the tensions between opposing parties originating from the process of territorial claim have led to increased military presence both by NATO and Russia in the region Arctic, M. Recognising that increased public concern for climate related matters has led to a stronger environment-protection mandate for governments, in particular those in Northern Europe and Canada, N. Expressing appreciation to Canada for recently declaring a large part of its arctic territories as conservation zones, O. Concerned by the fact that the environment-protection agenda is not prioritized by the governments of Russia and the USA, P. Noting with concern the lack of coordination in the efforts of stakeholders to facilitate trade and maintaining the integrity of the Arctic; 1. Urges the EEA Member States of the Arctic Council to strive towards adapting the Council to the ever changing region they represent through: a) an enlargement of its competences to include discussing matters of military, navigation, trade and resource exploitation, b) giving advising rights to entities with Observer status within the council; 2.
Strongly proclaims the need for EEA Member States of the Arctic Council to: a) Initiate a process of disarmament in the region alongside all the other members of the Arctic Council, b) Jointly establish an Arctic demilitarized zone, similarly to the one present in Antarctica;
3. Requests the EEA Member States to: a) Create large Arctic conservation zones, b) Involve indigenous Arctic communities more in the decision making process; 4. Calls upon the EEA Member States of the Arctic Council to support environmental and wildlife conservation missions to help protect areas affected by the destruction of natural habitats; 5. Invites EEA members of the Arctic Council to: a) further integrate Arctic protection into the educational curriculums of their own countries, b) endorse through the Arctic Council increased presence of Arctic protection in the curriculums of other Arctic Council Member States; 6. Encourages all the Arctic Council Member States to create joint agreements regarding drilling and excavation in the Arctic; 8