Greenland is urging the European Union to play a more active role in securing its critical raw materials, essential for clean energy technologies like solar panels and batteries. Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish parliament for the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) separatist party, highlighted the potential for the EU to invest in the island’s vast mineral resources. According to a European Commission study in 2023, 25 of the 34 minerals found in Greenland are classified as “critical raw materials,” with the island containing 73% of the rare earth elements needed by the EU.

EU’s Growing Interest in Greenland’s Resources and Strategic Importance

The European Union has increasingly sought to strengthen cooperation with Greenland, particularly in energy and rare earths. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Greenland in March 2024, opening an EU office in Nuuk, the capital. Chemnitz, however, expressed concerns that the EU and Denmark have not fully addressed the island’s strategic and economic needs. She emphasized that Greenland has a unique opportunity to foster deeper ties with the EU on terms that reflect the island’s growing importance in global trade and security matters.

As tensions rise in the Arctic, particularly with growing interest from the US, Russia, and China, Chemnitz believes Greenland must navigate its partnerships carefully. She called for a more realistic and cooperative approach that would allow Greenland to work closely with multiple global players, including the US, Denmark, and the EU. This is particularly important as Greenland holds key strategic value due to its geographic location and valuable resources.

Greenland’s Path to Independence and Future Cooperation

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has reiterated the island’s desire to chart its own path, with an eventual goal of independence from Denmark. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to hold a referendum on independence, though Egede has stated that this is a long-term goal. Chemnitz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of focusing on strengthening Greenland’s international relationships for the time being, especially with major countries such as the US, Russia, and China.

In the context of Greenland’s future, the upcoming parliamentary elections will play a critical role in shaping the territory’s direction. As Chemnitz pointed out, it is crucial for Greenland to maintain autonomy in decisions related to its future, free from external interference.