Mercoledì, Jens-Frederik Nielsen si è rivolto agli eurodeputati a Strasburgo come primo leader di un governo groenlandese a parlare al Parlamento europeo: “L’UE e la Groenlandia hanno bisogno l’una dell’altra”.

> In his speech, Premier Nielsen said that “Greenland needs the European Union, and the European Union needs Greenland” highlighting the importance of this partnership and thanking the EU for its strong support in challenging times.

> The Premier pointed to the potential for strengthening cooperation even more in areas such as mining, with Greenland possessing 24 of the 34 critical minerals identified by the EU, renewable energy given Greenland’s hydropower potential, the digital divide, as well as youth education and sustainable tourism. He also stressed the importance of trade relations, in particular for fish and shellfish, and underlined the need for trade to continue to be mutually beneficial.

> Mr. Nielsen said the Arctic is being transformed by accelerating climate change, transboundary pollution and biodiversity loss. He added that the people of Greenland have always lived off the land and the ocean, never taking more than was necessary. Mentioning that seal hunting has always been an important part of the Inuit culture, he hoped the EU would consider amending the general prohibition on placing seal products on the EU market as Greenland is experiencing grave negative impacts from this ban.