Ursula von der Leyen has declared that Greenland\u2019s future belongs to its people and Denmark as the EU puts its expanded Arctic partnership into practice. Her visit produced a new political declaration, a satellite-connectivity project and details of investments planned under a \u20ac200 million package.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe European Union stands in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland,\u201d the Commission president said in Nuuk on Monday. \u201cGreenland\u2019s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, no one else.\u201d<\/p>\n
The message followed repeated demands<\/a> by US President Donald Trump to acquire Greenland. Its government and Denmark have rejected those proposals, while talks with Washington have continued without a publicly announced resolution.<\/p>\n Ms von der Leyen spoke alongside Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen after two days of meetings. The three leaders signed a joint declaration<\/a> expanding cooperation on security, energy, raw materials, digital infrastructure, education and civil protection.<\/p>\n Satellite project produces first result<\/p>\n The visit provided the first concrete results of the \u20ac200 million partnership package that EU Perspectives reported ahead of the meeting<\/a>. The money will support what Ms von der Leyen called the \u201cthree big Cs\u201d: connectivity, clean energy and critical raw materials.<\/p>\n The leaders launched an enhanced satellite project at Greenlandic telecommunications company Tusass. Ms von der Leyen said northern communities would receive faster internet immediately, with remote settlements in eastern Greenland following by October.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udce1 Our new cooperation on satellite connectivity takes off today.<\/p>\n With immediate results.<\/p>\n North Greenland will see massive improvements in internet access in the coming days.<\/p>\n And by October, remote communities in East Greenland will also have better, faster internet! pic.twitter.com\/IUGDcPoEx0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The package will also support hydropower, housing, sustainable tourism, fisheries and participation in Erasmus+. Ms von der Leyen presented the investments as a way to improve daily life while strengthening Greenland\u2019s economic resilience and energy security.<\/p>\n Mineral projects move into focus<\/p>\n Critical minerals form another central part of the partnership. The EU is working with Greenland on the Malmbjerg molybdenum project<\/a> and financing preparations for the Amitsoq graphite project, Ms von der Leyen said.<\/p>\n Molybdenum strengthens steel used in energy and defence applications, while graphite is important for electric-vehicle batteries. Both could help Europe reduce its dependence on supplies concentrated in China, but developing mines in remote Arctic locations requires substantial infrastructure and Greenlandic regulatory approval.<\/p>\n Greenland\u2019s future is for the people of Greenland and Denmark to decide, no one else. \u2014 Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission<\/p>\n Ms von der Leyen said Malmbjerg could generate up to \u20ac90 million annually in added value for Greenland. \u201cWe agreed that [the resources] should be used to create value, jobs and growth here in the country,\u201d she said. The Commission has separately proposed allocating \u20ac530 million<\/a> to cooperation with Greenland in the EU\u2019s 2028\u20132034 budget. The figure remains subject to negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cGreenland is much more than a partner for Europe. You are a trusted friend, a strategic ally and a valued member of our wider European family,\u201d Ms von der Leyen said. \u201cWe share a future together, and it all starts today.\u201d The next test will be whether the promised investment produces tangible benefits for Greenlandic communities.<\/p>\n