EU and Greenland: Looking for a place in the Nordic sun

The EU is continuing to expand its cooperation with Greenland. During a visit to the Greenland capital Nuuk on Monday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new investment program worth 200 million euros.

The money is intended to advance the development of critical raw materials and the expansion of secure Internet connections via satellites and submarine cables. The Greenlandic government also wants to use part of the funds to expand its local administration. It is also about sustainable tourism and housing construction.

“Greenland can count on the EU,” said von der Leyen. The Arctic island is a “strategic ally and a trustworthy friend”. She emphasized Greenland's right to self-determination and warned US President Donald Trump against annexation. "The future of Greenland will be decided by the people of Greenland and Denmark. No one else."

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made a similar statement. The new EU program will take the partnership established 40 years ago “to the next level,” she said. Greenland needs the EU, and the EU needs Greenland, said the Social Democratic politician.

However, the relationship status is complicated. Greenland officially seceded from the European Community (EEC, now the EU) in 1985. There is only a loose connection to the EU - through Denmark, to which Greenland is an autonomous region. Recently, the Greenlanders have been looking to get closer to the Europeans again - because of US President Trump. At the beginning of the year, he again claimed ownership of Greenland and threatened the EU with sanctions. The dispute threatened to escalate when several EU countries - including Germany - sent some soldiers to the island. The situation only calmed down somewhat following mediation by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

However, Trump has recently reiterated his claim. The talks between Greenland, the USA and NATO have not yet produced an agreement, and the status of the island remains controversial. At the same time, the imperial struggle for the Arctic, in which Russia and China are also involved, has intensified. The EU is in danger of falling behind - especially since Iceland decided against talks about joining the EU in a referendum a week ago. This was a major setback for the EU's enlargement agenda, but also for Arctic policy, which is becoming increasingly important due to climate change.

The eternal ice is melting - and opening up new sea routes through the Arctic and access to critical raw materials in Greenland. Now not only Trump, but also von der Leyen is looking for a place in the Nordic sun. However, the EU's announced new Arctic strategy is a long time coming. The last version is from 2021. After all, the EU, Greenland and Denmark have agreed on a joint declaration in which they emphasize the close historical and political ties. The Arctic is also mentioned in the text, but only in passing. Finally, the partners emphasize that the declaration has no legal or financial binding effect.

Greenland is keeping all options open, while Denmark is taking a multi-pronged approach: In Nuuk, Frederiksen spoke not only about the EU, but also about NATO. She also emphasized that Denmark also wants to work more closely with the USA - despite Trump's threats, she sees the greatest danger in Russia.