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Opening remarks 

Honourable President,

Honourable Members of the European Parliament,  

Less than two months ago, on the 11th of March, the people of Greenland cast their votes. In April, a new government was confirmed by Greenland’s parliament. The outcome is a government based on a broad coalition.  

This is exactly how it should be. Government for the people, decided by the people.

Any decisions over Greenland’s future should be decided in the same way: by the people of Greenland.

Greenland and Denmark have both emphasised this.

Because the only way to maintain the rules-based world order is the full respect of the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and sanctity of borders.  

This is precisely why the European Union fully supports Denmark and Greenland and coordinates its positions with both.  

Honourable Members,  

The EU has long-standing relations with Greenland based on Greenland’s status as an Overseas Country and Territory.  

Our support for Greenland already helps Greenland pursue its own objectives, be it on education, green growth, including sustainable raw materials and renewable energy, or on security and connectivity.  

In fact, the EU’s collaboration with Greenland is the highest by far [among] Greenland’s international partners: around 4% of the government’s budget. And the EU will continue to invest in Greenland, in this mutually beneficial, values-based partnership.  

President von der Leyen visited Greenland in March 2024. And together with the then-Prime Minister Múte B. Egede and in the presence of Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, she inaugurated [the] EU Office in Nuuk.

Having a permanent presence of the EU in Greenland is important for several reasons: first, it makes it easier for collaboration between the EU and the Government of Greenland, the private sector and civil society. Second, it helps us promote public and private investments in Greenland. And third, it helps us deepen our cooperation across a variety of fields, including education, renewable energy, critical raw materials, [and] biodiversity management and conservation.

Greenland is also increasingly important for the EU’s geostrategic priorities in the Arctic.

The Kingdom of Denmark will take up the chair of the Arctic Council next week. For the first time, Greenland will, on behalf of the Kingdom, assume the chairmanship of the Council with Kenneth Høegh, newly appointed Arctic ambassador, as Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials.  

And we welcome the particular focus on strengthening the participation of Indigenous Peoples and the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in the cooperation across the Arctic.  

With the changing dynamics in global security, especially after Russia's invasion [of] Ukraine, there has been an increased focus on military activity in [the] Arctic.  

And while there is no direct military threat, in a context of dual-use activities, economic security concerns, and the sabotage of submarine cables, it is essential to be vigilant.

The EU is addressing these concerns: in our “Joint Communication to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables”; in our cooperation with NATO; and in our security and defence dialogues with Arctic partners including Iceland, Norway and Canada.

Any security concerns must be taken seriously.  

It is climate change, however, that remains the largest and most concrete threat to the Arctic. Arctic regions are disproportionately impacted by climate change. They are warming 3 to 4 times faster than the global average. Sea ice is melting away and permafrost is thawing.  

This presents a serious challenge for peoples’ livelihoods. The thawing of the Arctic Sea ice also opens potential shipping routes and access to natural resources. This in turn could lead to increased security tensions in the region.

We analyse these connections broadly in our Joint Communication on the climate and security nexus which was issued in June 2023.  

Comprehensive and holistic security in the Arctic regions is crucial.

This means Maritime Domain Awareness, support for local populations and coast guards, as well as disaster response and regional development.

In this vein, the EU remains committed to its 2021 Arctic policy.

Our goal remains the same: to preserve the region's stability and promote peaceful cooperation, while addressing the multifaceted security challenges that climate change and geopolitical developments present.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-271344

Closing remarks 

President, Honourable Members,  

Thank you for this very good debate on this very challenging and topical issue.  

It is [a] sad reality that we are talking about [the] Arctic – or the high interest in [the] Arctic – because of climate change actually. 

That is why I think [the] European Union is also [a] partner to Greenland in efforts in the entire Arctic region, [to] address the effects of climate change, but also sustainable development and to support the livelihoods of people of this region. 

I also heard a lot of you stressing this – and I totally agree with this – that borders are inviolable and territorial integrity must be respected. In [an] increasingly unpredictable world, I think it is more important than ever that we recall these principles that are the heart of the UN Charter and the United Nations – because they ensure peace. These are the principles that countries agreed so that there would be no more wars.  

That is why, [and] I think you all stressed that, it is important that the European Union also does that. Because [the] European Union remains the credible and stable partner to the region as we enhance also our relationship with Greenland based on mutual benefits.  

But we are also supporting the international rules-based order, because all of the countries in the world are actually looking at us. Whether these principles are applying or they are not applying anymore.  

And then, we find ourselves in a world where actually might makes right. Whoever has more power when you take what they have interest in – and that is one very dangerous world. 

Coming to Greenland, also like many of you stressed. The future and the destiny of Greenland can only be decided by the Greenland people. They should be able to make their choices free from outside pressure or external interference, as is the case for any of the democracies. 

And, in close collaboration with Denmark, we stand with Greenland in upholding Greenland’s right [to] self-determination.  

Thank you very much for this debate.   

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-271347