Extensive Agreement Between Denmark and Greenland
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a framework agreement on Tuesday on new initiatives and investments that will strengthen welfare in Greenland and contribute to a more self-sustaining development of the country's economy. (Photo: Naalakkersuisut).
For the next four years, the Danish government will allocate DKK 1,6 billion for initiatives and investments in Greenland, including investments in ports and healthcare.
On Tuesday, Greenland and Denmark entered into a framework agreement on new initiatives and investments in Greenland. The agreement is to strengthen the cooperation on welfare and economic development in the country.
The agreement follows the Danish government's proposal for a new finance law for 2026. Denmark has set aside a total economic framework of DKK 1,6 billion for the period from 2026 to 2029 for investments and initiatives in Greenland, including financing of the framework agreement.
Port, runway and health
In the short term, the agreement entails that Denmark is funding the construction of a new regional runway in Ittoqqortoormiit, east in Greenland, as well as a new deepwater port in Qaqortoq, south in Greenland, according to a joint press release from the Danish and the Greenlandic governments.
The parties have also agreed that Denmark will cover Greenland's expenses for the treatment of Greenlandic patients at Danish hospitals.
In the long term, the agreement opens up possibilities to contribute to investments in infrastructure, development of businesses, and energy supply security.
Will strengthen Greenland
"I look forward to a continued close cooperation with Naalakkersuisut [Greenland's government, ed. note] to create a stronger Greenland," says Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in the press release.
"We have a shared ambition for the agreement to benefit all in Greenland. Together, we will strengthen the healthcare system and investment in infrastructure to better connect the country, including through a new runway in Ittoqqortoomiit and a deepwater port in Qaqotoq," she adds.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the Greenlandic PM, underlines that the agreement is intended to support a self-sustaining Greenland.
"The agreements will benefit the citizens of our country. The challenges within areas such as health and housing are enormous, and this agreement will support our desired development in these and other areas."
"Well-oiled cooperation"
Political analyst Jens Ringberg of Denmark Radio says the agreement illustrates that the cooperation between the Danish and the Greenlandic government is currently "well-oiled and well-funded".
"If we go back a year, the situation was quite different, to put it mildly," he writes in an analysis.
Among other things, Ringberg points to how the pressure from US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland has provided good energy and momentum in the cooperation between Nuuk and Copenhagen.
