25 of the 34 minerals found in Greenland were identified as “critical raw materials” in a 2023 study by the European Commission.
Greenland wants the EU to own More assets to protect critical raw materials It is necessary to build new clean energy technologies such as solar panels and batteries in the region, he told Euronews Aaja ChemnitzMember of the Danish Parliament for Greenland’s leftist separatist Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) party.
“We We want to see the EU much more determined related to rare earths. Seeing an opportunity for the EU to invest in Greenland, he said: “We know that 73% of everything the EU needs in terms of rare earths can be found in Greenland, and we currently have more or less a Chinese monopoly when it comes to rare earths.” . this area.
In recent years the EU Encouraged greater cooperation with the candidate gave a speech on energy and rare earth elements, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited the island last March to open an EU office in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
However, Chemnitz, the EU and Denmark They didn’t pay enough attention to the GreenlandersHowever, they now have the opportunity to strengthen their relations with the island in a “more realistic” way, also in terms of defense and security.
Trump’s threats worry Greenlanders
Greenland’s largest party IA is currently “Concerned” about the security situation In the North Pole after US President-elect Donald Trump Claim the world’s largest island Considering Russia’s national interests in the region, the MP emphasized.
“I think it’s not a threat (by) finding ways to cooperate with a new ally,” Chemnitz said, referring to Trump’s rejection of the offer. rule out military intervention To capture Greenland.
Chemnitz, who chairs the Greenland commission in the Danish Parliament, argued that this would be vital for its territory given the strategic interests of power players such as the US, EU, Russia or China Find out which countries and regions you can cooperate with Greenland in the future.
“Of course I see Denmark, the EU and also the US as someone we can cooperate with, but I think it has to be very specific (cooperation), especially with the US,” the Greenlandic lawmaker said. addressing issues such as critical raw materials, tourism, education and defense.
las Sea routes around GreenlandThe future president of the United States, which offers the shortest route between North America and Europe, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark, wants strategic advantage for his Army and ballistic missile early warning system.
The USA showed what it wanted Expands military presence in Greenland Radars are being installed in the waters between Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom, but security and foreign relations continue to be managed from Copenhagen.
Greenland’s independence from Denmark is a “long-term goal”
Prime Minister of Greenland, Mute EgedeHe announced earlier this week that his Government was willing to cooperate more closely with the US on defense and mining, but on its own terms. “We don’t want to be Danes, we don’t want to be Americans; of course We want to be Greenlanders“Egede announced at a press conference in Copenhagen on Friday.
Egede, who has led the Inuit Ataqatigiit party since 2018, made it clear: there will be almost 57,000 Greenlanders Those who decide their own future and arrangements, and leaving part of the Kingdom of Denmark behind is not an option.
Greenland has had the right to declare independence through a referendum since 2009, and Egede has previously hinted: may occur during the new political term But for party partner Chemnitz, this is more of a “long-term goal”.
“I don’t see that happening because I don’t see a plan for it and I don’t think there is a shortcut to independence.“Although this is the fondest wish and dream of many of us in Greenland,” he said. For now, Greenlanders see it as necessary to diversify and encourage Greenland’s cooperation with other global actors and focus on the parliamentary elections to be held next spring.
“The Danish Government has done a good job of recognizing that every decision about Greenland’s future must be taken into account. Dedicated to the people of Greenland“said Chemnitz and added: “When it comes to Denmark, it is also the EU, as well as the United States, Russia, China, etc. It is important to say ‘hands off’ when it comes to As for the elections.”
