Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Nuuk on Sunday for a two-day official visit to Greenland.
Frederiksen was welcomed at the airport by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the chair of Naalakkersuisut, Greenland’s government. A plane carrying von der Leyen landed shortly afterward, DR reports.
At a press conference held in connection with the arrivals, Nielsen said he was honored by the visit from von der Leyen. He described the relationship as a close friendship and a good partnership that Greenland wants to build on further. Von der Leyen thanked her hosts and said the two sides share the same values and work closely together.
Later on Sunday, the three leaders are due to travel by boat to the Greenland Ice Sheet. On Monday, they are scheduled to sign a joint declaration on a strengthened partnership between Greenland and the European Union, according to DR.
The agreement is expected to provide financial backing for projects in Greenland, including one aimed at improved satellite connectivity. The European Commission states that the leaders will launch the Enhanced Satellite Connectivity Project for Greenland on Monday.
What the EU says about the visit
The European Commission says von der Leyen is in Nuuk on September 6 and 7 to deepen EU-Greenland ties and to sign a renewed joint declaration. The declaration involves the EU, the government of Greenland and the government of Denmark.
The Commission’s representation in Denmark states that the leaders will discuss Greenland and the strategic importance of the Arctic. It also confirms that a press conference will be held on Monday.
Coverage citing Reuters said the trip was expected to include a declaration on security and cooperation between the EU and Greenland. AFP reported that von der Leyen would visit to bolster support for the autonomous territory and sign a joint declaration during the two-day stay.
Why the visit is happening now
Euractiv reported before the departure that the trip had first been planned for March. It was delayed after Frederiksen called early elections and coalition talks in Copenhagen dragged on.
During the visit, Frederiksen and von der Leyen are also due to meet the Faroe Islands’ prime minister, Beinir Johannesen. The Copenhagen Post noted that the Greenland visit is taking place alongside wider meetings among leaders of the Danish realm in Nuuk.
It is von der Leyen’s second trip to the Greenlandic capital. Her previous visit to Nuuk took place in 2024, according to DR.
The leaders’ program continues on Monday with the signing ceremony and the launch of the satellite project. No further details of the declaration’s contents have been published by the parties.
