The European Union and Greenland are set to sign a joint declaration on a strengthened partnership when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visits Nuuk on September 6 and 7.
She will travel to Greenland’s capital alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The pair are expected to meet Greenland’s premier, Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
It will be von der Leyen’s second visit to Nuuk. In March 2024, she opened the European Commission’s office there. She also signed cooperation agreements worth close to €94 million covering education, skills and clean-energy investment.
The Commission has since proposed more than doubling its support for Greenland. The proposal would provide €530 million over seven years starting in 2028. It has also floated an additional package worth more than €150 million. Neither has been confirmed as part of what will be signed on this visit.
The trip comes amid heightened attention on the Arctic. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken about bringing Greenland under American control. The standoff has pushed Denmark and Greenland to align more closely on foreign policy and defence.
Greenland’s mineral wealth adds weight to the EU relationship. The bloc is seeking greater access to raw materials for its economy and technology industries.
Nuuk is also hosting a separate meeting this week. The gathering brings together the leaders of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands to discuss shared political and economic interests across Denmark.
