Welcoming Premier Nielsen, European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola said, “With Greenland as a strategic partner, we are working side by side to strengthen stability across the Arctic, to counter hybrid threats, and to tackle growing security risks. This Parliament will always stand with the people of Greenland for their right to choose their own path, for their territorial integrity,. When Greenland looks to Europe, they will find friends and allies.”
In his speech, Premier Nielsen said that “Greenland needs the European Union, and the European Union needs Greenland” highlighting the importance of this partnership and thanking the EU for its strong support in challenging times.
The Premier pointed to the potential for strengthening cooperation even more in areas such as mining, with Greenland possessing 24 of the 34 critical minerals identified by the EU, renewable energy given Greenland’s hydropower potential, the digital divide, as well as youth education and sustainable tourism. He also stressed the importance of trade relations, in particular for fish and shellfish, and underlined the need for trade to continue to be mutually beneficial.
Mr. Nielsen said the Arctic is being transformed by accelerating climate change, transboundary pollution and biodiversity loss. He added that the people of Greenland have always lived off the land and the ocean, never taking more than was necessary. Mentioning that seal hunting has always been an important part of the Inuit culture, he hoped the EU would consider amending the general prohibition on placing seal products on the EU market as Greenland is experiencing grave negative impacts from this ban.
Background
With US President Donald Trump stating that he could not rule out an American annexation of the strategically important island, Greenland has found itself at the centre of geopolitical tension between the US and Europe. While Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, both Greenlandic and Danish authorities have continuously stressed Greenland’s right to self-determination and that Greenland is “not for sale”. Nielsen assumed office in April 2025.
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