The EU and Greenland will sign a new Joint Partnership involving a substantial increase in EU funding and investment.
The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions around the island following US President Donald Trump’s threats to seize the territory by force.
The EU opened an official presence in Greenland two years ago, before Mr Trump returned to office.
Greenland was part of the EU by virtue of being part of the Kingdom of Denmark but it formally withdrew in 1985 over its opposition to the Common Fisheries Policy. However, relations have remained close.
Today’s Joint Partnership updates an arrangement dating back to 2015, and it will be jointly signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
A significant increase in funding is expected.
It will go towards areas such as education and fisheries, as well as satellite and cable connectivity, hydropower and critical raw materials.
There will also be support for housing, tourism and SMEs.
Officials said the boost in support is in keeping with the EU’s Arctic strategy, an acknowledgment that the retreating ice caps will open up new maritime shipping routes and new competition for access and access to critical raw materials.
Yesterday in Nuuk, Ms von der Leyen said the package would be “substantial” but gave no details.
“Greenland’s stunning landscapes and natural beauty will stay with me for a long time. But so will the visible scars of climate change on the ice sheet,” Ms von der Leyen posted on X after a boat trip under clear blue skies in a fjord scattered with chunks of ice.
“As the ice melts, a new reality is taking shape,” she added.
Mr Nielsen said his country wanted to build on its “close friendship and good partnership” with the EU.
Additional reporting by Reuters