A revised draft of the European Union's Arctic strategy softens the bloc's opposition to oil and gas exploration. The wording appears to move away from a blanket rejection of exploration toward a more flexible position among member states. That change could make it easier for the EU to accommodate differing national energy interests while retaining an Arctic strategic role. The adjustment concerns the wording of a strategy document rather than an immediate decision to authorize new projects. The draft may still be altered before its formal adoption. The available account did not identify which countries pressed for the revision or what detailed safeguards accompany it.