EU, Greenland and Denmark Sign Declaration on Closer Ties

A Declaration on cooperation between the European Union, Greenland, and Denmark has been signed in Nuuk on September 7.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen singed the declaration.

It is expected that this declaration will ensure the long-term cooperation of all three sides in such spheres as infrastructure, raw materials, climate policy, digital connectivity, and many others concerning the Arctic region. However, this declaration does not include any legal obligations at both the national and international levels.

Among the topics covered in this document are education and training, ports, airports, housing, fisheries, low-carbon energy, tourism, culture, trade, research, civil protection, human rights, and cooperation in the Arctic region.

Digital connectivity is one of the topics covered in this document. The issues of submarine cables, satellite and backbone infrastructure, digital governance, and regulation have been mentioned.

Attention is drawn to the problem of raw materials in this declaration. It has been pointed out that it is necessary to implement their strategic partnership on sustainable raw material value chains starting from November 2023.

In addition, the parties point out that the development of this industry will contribute to the diversification of the economy of Greenland. Greenland can become a source of raw materials for the EU that should be traded according to the principles of security, sustainability, and free trade.

Fisheries are also among the key industries of cooperation between these countries. It has been mentioned in this document that this industry is the backbone of the economy of Greenland. Moreover, it has been emphasized as the sphere of cooperation according to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and its implementing protocol.

Both sides confirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and just energy transition. Climate change impacts Greenland adversely; therefore, cooperation in biodiversity, low-carbon energy, and the circular economy is needed.

In addition, the issues of cooperation in cybersecurity, secure communication, and protection of critical infrastructure have been covered. The parties have discussed hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation.

It has been mentioned in this document that Greenland is an overseas country and territory of the EU. The citizens of Greenland are European citizens because of their Danish citizenship.

In addition, it has been mentioned in this document that the Greenland Self-Government Act of 2009 points out that the Greenland government has the right to perform legislative and executive functions. This act gives Kalaallit, people of Greenland, the right to make decisions about the future of Greenland based on the principle of self-determination.

Cooperation has been initiated since signing the previous joint declaration in 2015. opening of the European Commission office in Greenland in 2024 is among these events.

The following steps mentioned in this document are development of the joint investment agenda, exchange of students and researchers, and high-level dialogue.