The Arctic territory, with a population of 57 thousand inhabitants spread over 2.1 million square kilometers (80% of which are permanently covered in ice), depends essentially on revenue from fishing and aid from Denmark, which covers almost half of budgetary expenditure.
The presidents of the European Council and the European Commission today expressed their solidarity with Denmark after the appointment of the North American special envoy for Greenland, remembering territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“We express our total solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland”, indicate António Costa and Ursula Von der Leyen, in a common position on the X social network.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for the European Union, on which we seek to work with allies and partners. Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law and these principles are essential not only for the European Union, but also for nations around the world”, they conclude.
Since 2010, Greenland has had a new autonomy statute that recognizes the right to self-determination, a possibility supported by the majority of its inhabitants, although not at the cost of a lower standard of living.
At the same time, residents have rejected annexation by the United States, according to polls published in recent months.
A coalition executive power unites all moderate pro-independence political groups and governs the territory after regional elections held last March.
Denmark has increased military and economic investments in Greenland over the past year.