An Agreement Focused on Opportunities – and on Greenland

I followed yesterday’s meeting in New York very closely.

The agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the United States marks an important step for Greenland’s future relations and the opportunities ahead.

As Chair of the Board of Greenland Business Association, I am focused not only on the opportunities the agreement may create for business development and investment, but also on the values that are now clearly embedded in the cooperation.

I am pleased that the agreement states that the cooperation is founded on democratic values, welfare and human rights. These principles are personally important to me, and I believe they resonate with many Greenlanders as well as many of our member companies.

At the same time, the agreement acknowledges that questions concerning Greenland’s future, international relations and security are of significant importance to people across Greenland. It is therefore essential that the agreement also addresses the long-term perspective and the broader security policy context.

I particularly note that the agreement addresses Greenland’s future relationship with NATO, including in the event that we choose the path towards independence. This provides important clarification in a debate that has occupied much attention in Greenland in recent times.

To me, the agreement reflects a mature and respectful Greenlandic approach to diplomacy, where opportunities, cooperation and shared values go hand in hand.

Greenland is strongest when we are able to create new opportunities for our society while standing firmly by the values that should define our relations with the wider world.

My hope is that we can now move forward with a greater sense of calm and focus our efforts on shaping and establishing strong, sustainable frameworks that will benefit Greenland, our society and our future.

Krissie Winberg Berthelsen
Chair of the Board
Greenland Business Association