Greenland on the Way to Independence?: Grounds for an Enhanced EU-Greenland Partnership

Abstract:

21st June 2009 saw the dawn of a new political era for Greenland. The entry into force of the country's Self Rule Act opens the prospect of complete separation from Denmark and full independence. However, it remains an open question how fast the world's biggest island will progress towards independence and whether the process will ultimately lead to sovereign statehood.

Greenland, which left the EU in 1985, is confronted with serious problems, which it will not be able to cope with on its own. The European Union, on the other hand, is about to develop its own Arctic policy. It should therefore become aware of both the challenges and chances that accrue from Greenland's new status as a self-governing territory.