President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen has said that the EU had underinvested in Arctic security but it was now time to "step up."
Speaking at a press conference following an emergency EU Summit in Brussels Ms von der Leyen said the summit had proposed to "double its financial support" for Greenland.
She added that Europe's response to US President Donald Trump's pursuit of Greenland this week had been "firm" and "non-escalatory."
She said an increase in defence spending in the Arctic would be in co-operation with Canada, Norway, Iceland, Norway and the UK.
Asked about the EU-US relationship, Ms von der Leyen also said that the EU should look at becoming more "independent".
She said the EU should develop more trade agreements and reach out to other parts of the world.
Ms von der Leyen also held out the possibility of the EU implementing the Mercosur deal on a provisional basis despite a vote by the European Parliament to refer it to the EU Court of Justice this week.
On Ukraine, she said the EU would double down on its support for the country.
This would include 440 emergency generators and stronger coordination from donors.
The summit was also attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Speaking as he arrived for the summit, the Taoiseach said any undermining of the "economic interdependence" between Europe and the US "would have very serious repercussions" for people both in the EU and the US.
Mr Martin said Europe has shown "commendable unity, firmness, principled position and calmness as well" during this week's crisis.
EU has 'serious doubts' about Trump's 'Board of Peace'
Meanwhile, European leaders expressed serious doubts about the scope of President Trump's 'Board of Peace' but are ready to work with the United States and the newly founded body in Gaza, President of the European Council Antonio Costa said.
"We have serious doubts about a number of elements in the charter of the Board of Peace related to its scope, its governance and its compatibility with the UN Charter," he added.
"We are ready to work together with the US on the implementation of the comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, with a Board of Peace carrying out its mission as a transitional administration," Mr Costa said.
The founding charter of Mr Trump's body for resolving international conflicts has a $1 billion (€850 million) fee for permanent membership.
Although originally meant to oversee Gaza's rebuilding, the board's charter does not seem to limit its role to the Palestinian territory and appears to want to rival the United Nations.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters after the summit that his country had "declined" the invitation to participate in the body.
Mr Trump unveiled the new ‘Board of Peace’ at the World Economic Forum in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, joined on stage by leaders and officials from 19 countries to sign its founding charter.
Key US allies including France and Britain have expressed doubts.
Britain expressed concerns about the inclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces are fighting in Ukraine after invading in 2022.
France said the charter as it currently stood was "incompatible" with its international commitments, especially its UN membership.
Additional reporting by AFP
