The European Commission plans to establish an office in the region, which has gained strategic significance due to its abundant resources and the melting ice.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is embarking on a visit to Greenland amidst growing concerns over melting Arctic ice, rising demand for green-technology raw materials, and heightened competition from China, all of which have amplified the strategic significance of the territory.
Although Greenland is not a part of the European Union, the autonomous Danish territory holds considerable interest for Brussels, particularly due to its abundant and highly sought-after raw materials. The EU believes that Greenland possesses 25 of the 34 raw materials that it requires.
Accompanied by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, von der Leyen’s two-day itinerary includes a visit to the Faroe Islands on Thursday, followed by a trip to Greenland the next day. In Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, she will inaugurate a new office for the European Commission, underscoring the EU’s commitment to strengthening ties with the region.
As Ursula von der Leyen pursues a second term as President of the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, the urgency of accelerating green initiatives has been underscored, particularly in the wake of the EU elections, according to Wopke Hoekstra, the EU’s climate chief.
Tomas Baert, a special adviser to von der Leyen on trade and international partnerships, highlighted Greenland’s significance in providing essential raw materials, such as rare earth elements and metals, crucial for the EU’s green transition. He emphasized the importance of partnerships with regions like Greenland to ensure access to these critical resources, stressing a collaborative approach for mutual benefit.
Baert noted that Greenland possesses approximately 27 of the strategic and critical raw materials identified by the EU, signifying significant potential. However, he acknowledged that realizing this potential requires further exploration and investment, indicating that efforts are still in the early stages.
The Greenlandic government clarified that it indeed possesses 25 of the materials sought by the EU, although acknowledging that there’s still work to be done to secure the remaining resources. Subsequently, the European Commission verified that Greenland does indeed have 25 of the 34 materials sought.
This visit follows the European Commission’s partnership agreement with Greenland signed in November, marking a significant step in strengthening ties between the two entities.
Baert emphasized the EU’s approach with “full respect” for partner countries, highlighting the intention to foster partnerships, share knowledge, and create value locally for Greenlanders. He underscored that the EU’s objective is not merely extraction but rather sustainable collaboration, distinguishing it from approaches seen elsewhere, notably China’s extractive model.
Describing the trip as “geopolitical,” Baert stressed its significance in conveying to Greenland that despite not being an EU member, it remains part of Europe. He lauded Greenland’s alignment with many EU sanctions against Russia and expressed the EU’s commitment to elevate the relationship to new heights.
Regarding the new office, he noted its strategic importance in maintaining close communication and staying attuned to Greenland’s needs and developments on the ground.
Naaja H. Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business, trade, and raw materials, emphasized that the new office would facilitate transatlantic cooperation between the European Union and Greenland, leveraging the longstanding relationship between the two entities. She underscored the mutual benefits of the minerals agreement, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation for Greenland’s mineral sector development, which requires substantial capital and long-term investment.
Nathanielsen highlighted the significance of diversifying Greenland’s economy, noting the importance of sectors like tourism and minerals alongside fishing, the current primary source of income. She emphasized that while fishing will remain dominant for years to come, the growth of other sectors is essential for economic resilience.
Acknowledging Greenland’s limited economic capacity to invest in the mineral sector independently, Nathanielsen emphasized the need for support from larger economies to enable sustainable, diversified, and secure value chains. She emphasized the crucial role of partnerships in facilitating Greenland’s green transition and economic development.
The visit holds significance for Denmark’s relationship with Greenland, especially amidst a growing independence movement in the region. Additionally, there is widespread condemnation over reports of Danish doctors implanting contraceptive coils without consent or knowledge, particularly among women and girls as young as 12, as part of population control measures.
Despite ongoing legal action against the Danish state by affected individuals, there has been no comprehensive response from the Danish government.
While the prime minister’s office refrained from commenting on whether these historical violations would be addressed during the visit, the trip also includes a meeting with Faroe Islands Prime Minister Aksel V Johannesen. Furthermore, an agreement for enhanced cooperation between the Faroe Islands and the EU is expected to be signed during the visit, underscoring the broader diplomatic agenda of the trip.
