Greenland's Prime Minister Egede spoke about the island's future at a joint meeting of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and Development Committee.
Egede said the Greenlandic people needed the support of the European Union and all its allies more than ever, adding that they were going through a period in which their right to determine their own future was under threat. He said this situation was creating insecurity in society and noted that the insecurity was also negatively affecting the mental health of the Greenlandic people.
Seeking solutions with the US and Denmark
Egede announced that a group made up of senior officials was continuing its work to resolve the issues with Denmark and the United States.
Egede said knowing that the European Union stood with Greenland gave the island's people moral strength, arguing that this support sent a strong message to the US administration. According to Egede, the message makes clear that intervention in Greenland would amount to intervention against the European Union.
Expectations for an economic partnership with the EU
Egede said relations between the EU and Greenland should advance on the basis of mutual benefit, adding that Greenland could help the European Union secure its supply chain in critical raw materials.
Egede said cooperation with the European Union could help diversify Greenland's economy. He said the island would always belong to the people of Greenland, adding that they could not remain isolated in today's world and needed strong partners.
Greenland's status creates tensions with the US
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, remains a source of tension among Washington, Copenhagen and Brussels because of US President Donald Trump's statements about seeking to control the island.
Trump argues that Greenland is of strategic importance to US security. The governments of Denmark and Greenland, meanwhile, emphasize that the island is not for sale.
The European Union says decisions about Greenland's future belong to Denmark and the people of Greenland. The EU is also increasing cooperation with Greenland in the areas of Arctic security and critical raw materials.
