EU’s von der Leyen announces major investment plan for Greenland

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced plans for a major increase in European Union investment in Greenland, aimed at supporting the island’s economy, infrastructure and security amid growing tensions over US interest in the Arctic territory.

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.Photo: EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

Speaking during a debate in the European Parliament, von der Leyen said Greenland should not be viewed solely through the lens of geopolitics or access to raw materials.

„Greenland is not just a territory in a key region of the world map, a land rich in critical raw materials, a strategic outpost on emerging global sea routes,” she said. „It is all of those things. But above all, Greenland is home to a free and sovereign people. It is a nation with its sovereignty and its right to territorial integrity. And the future of Greenland is only for Greenlanders to decide.”

Von der Leyen said the EU and the United States share a common assessment of security needs in the Arctic and continue to work together, particularly within NATO.

She cited cooperation between Finland and the United States on icebreakers and NATO’s Arctic Light exercises, led by Denmark last autumn, as examples of efforts to strengthen readiness in the region.

At the same time, she warned against escalating tensions among allies.

„We are aligned. We are working together. We share the same strategic assessment on Arctic security,” she said, adding that “the threat of additional tariffs for security reasons is simply wrong.”

US President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to impose tariffs on goods from eight NATO countries—Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Britain—over their participation in military exercises in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Von der Leyen said EU leaders would work this week on a coordinated response, adding that Europe remained committed to dialogue but was prepared to act if necessary.

„Europe prefers dialogue and solutions, but we are fully prepared to act … with unity, urgency and determination,” she said.

As part of what she described as a broader package to strengthen Arctic security, von der Leyen said the EU planned „a massive European investment surge in Greenland,” particularly to support the local economy and infrastructure.

„In the next European budget, we have already proposed to double our financial support to Greenland, but of course we must do more and do it fast,” she said.

She told lawmakers the EU would continue working with the United States and other partners on „wider Arctic security,” including investing in Arctic-capable defence equipment and strengthening security arrangements with countries such as Britain, Canada, Norway and Iceland.

Von der Leyen added that Europe’s security and strategic independence were closely tied to developments in Ukraine. She noted that EU leaders recently agreed on a EUR 90 billion loan package for Ukraine.

„Europe has taken clear responsibility for Ukraine’s needs … and we will stand with Ukraine until there is a just and lasting peace,” she said.

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, ec.europa.eu

Radio Poland