Greenland, Prime Minister Nielsen addresses EU Parliament: “The Union is a loyal friend”

From the correspondent in Strasbourg – From the far north to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, 34, Prime Minister of Greenland. The first time addressing the European institutions for a Greenlandic politician is a success. “Greenland needs the European Union, and the European Union needs Greenland,” the premier recalls to the applause of the chamber.

From the main podium, Nielsen speaks without a jacket or tie. He wears a sweatshirt, or rather an anorak, typical of the Inuit people. The garment is blue in the same shades as the Union flag. The choice of colour is not only symbolic. Before the 720 MEPs, his words take a clear stance: cooperation. An openness, however, only extended towards those who, the prime minister recalls, “share our values.”

The European Friends

Greenland is formally part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but since 2009, it has enjoyed extended autonomy and is not part of the European Community. This, however, does not detract from the good relations between the two entities. “The EU has been a loyal friend and has stood by us when we needed it most,” Nielsen recalls. The future cannot be any less: “We can develop partnerships in decisive areas that will benefit both us and you,” the Prime Minister said.

Beyond the fraternal friendship that exists between the Arctic population and Europeans, his presence in Strasbourg has strategic reasons. “We are very happy that in the next five-year economic plan presented by the Commission,” the Greenlander continued, “includes funds of 530 million dedicated to our land.” The proposal is, by Nielsen’s own admission, to “support the development of mineral resources in Greenland, while creating value chains for the EU’s green transition.”

The agreement is possible because valuable raw materials are found under the Inuit soil. In fact, the Arctic island possesses 24 of the 34 critical rare earths identified by the EU. These minerals are ideal for the production of lithium-ion batteries, electronic components, and magnets, all of which are crucial for the green economy.

Greenland has vast, untapped mineral resources, including rare earth elements and other critical minerals.
pic.twitter.com/tlRmiV40Dg 

— Civixplorer (@Civixplorer)
September 14, 2025 

Money, Seals, and Minerals

The opportunity for the European Union is interesting. Under these auspices, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, reiterated at a press conference: “I hope that meetings like this will not only take place during the Danish (European Council) Presidency. We would like Greenland at our tables more often.”

The partnership appears to be mutually beneficial. However, the prime minister does not want to sell off his land and, therefore, between the lines, he asks for something in return. Confident of his reasons, he suggests, before the 720 MEPs, to change the regulation on the marketing of seal products. “The general ban on placing seal products on the EU market,” Nielsen complained, “has had serious negative consequences, causing a sharp drop in domestic production and exports of our seal pelts. This fishery is part of our culture and our livelihood.”

The Arctic Intrigue

In a speech that talks about friendship and brotherhood, the American question remains in the background. Trump’s threats of annexation date back only a few months. Nielsen does not mention this and dismisses the issue: “We have had very good relations with them for many years.”

However, Stars and Stripes’ interests on the island cannot be ignored. For example, Critical Metals Corp has established a presence at the Qaqortoq mining site in the southern part of the country, one of the most significant in the world. At the time the area was allocated, in 2024, Danish and US pressure was decisive. Despite its obvious interest, China was excluded.

The Arctic intrigue, in short, is only just beginning. Between global warming, which increases the amount of exploitable land, and Arctic routes for cargo ships, the eyes of the superpowers are turning northward. Nielsen, with his blue anorak, is winking at everyone, trying to serve the interests of the increasingly less reclusive Inuit people.