Greenland’s Prime Minister Clarifies Position on EU and US Relations
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen made history by addressing the European Parliament for the first time ever. During his speech, he clearly stated that Greenland is not seeking to join the European Union or become part of the United States. This statement came in response to questions about the territory’s future relations with both entities.
Nielsen emphasized that Greenland has no plans to become a member of the EU. He said, “Right now, we have no plans for trying to be a member of the European Union.” However, he also highlighted that Greenland is working to strengthen its existing partnership with the EU, particularly in areas such as education, critical minerals, and industry.
What Greenland Wants
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, home to approximately 56,000 residents. It has had a self-government arrangement since 2009, building upon a tradition of home rule that began in 1979. In 1985, Greenland left the European Economic Community (the precursor to the EU) following a referendum held in 1982.
Since then, Greenland has maintained close cooperation with the EU. In recent years, this relationship has strengthened, leading to the opening of an EU office in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Prime Minister Nielsen is working to enhance cooperation, which is currently governed by several different agreements, especially in the fields of education, critical minerals, renewable energy, digitalisation, and sustainable tourism.
During his address, Nielsen focused on the importance of raw materials, as Greenland holds 24 of the 34 critical minerals identified by the EU. He mentioned that in 2023, the EU and Greenland agreed on a strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains. “Taking the current security situation in the world into account and the green transition, there is, however, a need to move faster,” he said. “The critical minerals of Greenland have the potential to shift global and security balances. But action needs to be taken fast.”
Fisheries relations are also a key aspect of Greenland’s economy. The country has an agreement with the EU that allows EU vessels to fish in Greenlandic waters in exchange for a financial contribution and duty-free access to the EU market for Greenlandic fishery products. Nielsen considers the current agreement “satisfactory” but sees the need to continue adjusting the cooperation to support the growth of the Greenlandic fishing industry.
What Greenland Does Not Want
There are some contentious points in the EU-Greenland relations. Nielsen expressed hope that Brussels will reconsider a general ban on placing seal products on its market. He argued that this ban has had negative impacts on seal hunting, which is an integral part of the Inuit culture. “In our words, it’s the lifeblood of our culture and our identity,” he said.
Nielsen’s final message to the plenary was clear: “Greenland needs the European Union and the European Union needs Greenland.” His remarks seemed to be directed at Washington, especially after former US President Donald Trump caused shockwaves across Europe by publicly refusing to rule out the possibility of using military force or economic coercion to seize the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Strong Support from the European Parliament
European Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola echoed Nielsen’s words. She stated, “Greenland will always find a strong partner in the European Union.” During a press conference, she assured that the EU “comes to Greenland not with demands or claims, but in the spirit of mutual respect and friendship.”
Metsola recalled European investments in Greenland for education, training, and skills, promising more support in the future. “When you look to Europe, you will find friends and you will find allies,” she concluded.
