“Greenland is not for sale - we’ll stand-by you”, SEDE MEPs tell their Greenlandic partners

A delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence visited Greenland from 16 to 18 September.

Members of the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee (SEDE) visited Greenland this week for high level talks with the Foreign Minister, newly elected Members of Parliament and European forces leading the largest military exercise in Greenland’s modern history - NATO’s “Arctic Light.”

The SEDE mission took place at a crucial time, in a week that saw the Danish government announce what it called a “paradigm shift” with the purchase of European long-range air-defence missiles and a boost in defence spending. SEDE MEPs welcomed the move, as part of overall EU efforts to strengthen European defence, and were keen to listen to the concerns of those on the ground in Greenland.

MEPs discussed how Europe and Greenland are facing similar choices in this period of geopolitical flux. Not least, the need to improve preparedness and resilience and to transition to greater strategic autonomy to be able to maintain peace through strength as expected by our citizens. This strength also comes from having strong relations with predictable, like-minded partners.

MEPs also had briefings from the Joint Arctic Command to better understand the security challenges facing Greenland. This also included a visit on board the Patrol Vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen, from where MEPs observed NATO's Operation Arctic Light.

Speaking after the mission, SEDE Chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said “As close partners of Greenland, we came to listen to our colleagues and reassure all Greenlanders that Europe remains committed to our common values and our origins as a peace project. Together the EU and Greenland can face geopolitical uncertainties, achieve peace through our common strength, and thereby ensure a positive future for all Greenlanders and European Union citizens. The military exercises we have visited this week are a strong political signal that European forces are prepared to play a leading role in NATO and protect Greenland.”

Members talked to key local actors involved in defence preparedness, including the Police and businesses actively involved in countering hybrid threats, threats to critical infrastructure and foreign interference and manipulation in local communities.

Ms Strack-Zimmermann continued " In close cooperation with Denmark, we stand with Greenland and it’s people. Greenland's future will be determined by its people and will always find a strong partnership with the EU."

The delegation was be led by Security and Defence Committee Chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (Renew Europe, Germany) and also included:

Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (EPP, Spain)

Javi López (S&D, Spain)

Pierre-Romain Thionnet (PfE, France)

Cristian Terheş (ECR, Romania)

Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France)