The European Union has announced that it is to invest €200 million in Greenland, covering projects in areas including connectivity, hydropower, critical raw materials, housing, sustainable tourism and support for small businesses.
The investment, which forms part of the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy, will be invested in Greenland both this year and next year.
‘Close cooperation’
“Greenland can count on the EU,” commented Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who announced the package during a visit to Nuuk on 7 September.
“That was my message during my last visit. Today, I am back to deliver the real results of our close cooperation. With a new EU-Greenland Partnership package, worth €200 million. This 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 was made alongside a new joint declaration signed by the EU, Greenland and Denmark to reinforce cooperation. This builds on a previous joint declaration signed in 2015, and ‘recognises Greenland’s growing strategic importance’, the European Commission said.
The agreement was announced by von der Leyen in Nuuk alongside Greenland’s Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The three parties also signed the joint declaration reinforcing the wider partnership.
‘Creating opportunities’
“Our partnership with Greenland is about creating opportunities that improve people’s everyday lives,” added Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships. “Better internet connections, more reliable and cleaner energy, and new economic opportunities for communities across Greenland, including in the most remote areas.
“At the same time, by investing together through Global Gateway, we are strengthening Europe’s resilience, building trusted partnerships that benefit us all, and deepening economic ties between the EU and Greenland.”
Greenland is the largest recipient of EU support per capita among the Overseas Countries and Territories. The EU has earmarked €225 million for the period 2021-2027, with 90% dedicated to education and 10% to green growth. Greenland is also eligible to participate in EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility, Erasmus+, Creative Europe and InvestEU. Read more here.
