The European Union announced a €200 million partnership package with Greenland on Sept. 7 aimed at expanding investment in the Arctic island as it becomes an increasing focus of geopolitical competition.
The investment came the same day the EU, Greenland and Denmark signed a joint declaration to expand cooperation in areas like education, fisheries, natural resources, energy and technology.
The money will be invested this year and in 2027, the European Commission said, and will also contribute to areas it describes as ”investments that improve everyday life” like better housing, sustainable tourism and support for small businesses.
“Greenland can count on the EU,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
“This [package] will create new opportunities and a strong and engaged EU in both Greenland and the Arctic. Because Greenland is a strategic ally and a trusted friend.”
The announcement is another step by European leaders to deepen ties with Greenland amidst U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated statements that the United States should take control of Greenland.
“The European Union stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,” von der Leyen said in a broadcast press conference on Monday, alongside Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Nuuk. “Greenland’s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide and no one else.”
“The Arctic has become one of the places where the tectonic plates of geopolitics collide so we have a direct stake in what happens here.”
Trump posts map hours after announcement
On the same day as the EU announcement, Trump posted a map on social media showing Greenland, Canada and Iceland, along with Central American and Caribbean countries, overlaid with an American flag and labelled “United States of America.”
Iceland’s Foreign Ministry sent a statement to local media on Monday calling the post “completely inappropriate” and saying it had summoned U.S. Ambassador to Iceland Billy Long.
EU Arctic Strategy coming in fall
Von der Leyen’s Sept. 7 announcement coincided with the start of the Arctic Shield, a Greenland-focused military exercise aimed at bolstering NATO cooperation in the Arctic.
A new EU Arctic Strategy is expected later this year.
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Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada joins NATO allies for Arctic Shield exercise in Greenland, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark to expand Arctic surveillance with purchase of long-range drones, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Finland hails plan for allies to join NATO land forces in North, The Independent Barents Observer
Iceland: Iceland to seek new security partnerships after voters reject EU accession talks, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Norway’s ambassador summoned to Moscow foreign ministry as wave of propaganda hits the headlines, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: NATO’s Arctic moves pose ‘direct threat’ to Russia, foreign minister Lavrov says,The Associated Press
Sweden: Nordic-Baltic region joins forces around Sweden’s CV90, The Independent Barents Observer
United States: White House releases U.S. Arctic strategy implementation plan, Eye on the Arctic
