STATEMENT | Greenland: a test of Europe’s maturity as a political union

The Union of European Federalists (UEF) deplores US statements questioning the status of Greenland and the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. These statements have created a situation of strategic ambiguity that directly affects the security of Europe and the credibility of the European Union as a political and security actor.

Greenland is not a marginal or remote issue. It is an integral part of the territory of a Member State of the EU and Greenlanders are EU Citizens. Any attempt to alter its status through pressure, coercion or force would constitute an aggression against a Member State and against the EU constitutional order itself.

1. A European responsibility

The UEF recalls that the security of any part of a Member State is a common European responsibility. Europe cannot accept grey zones in matters of sovereignty. Strategic ambiguity weakens deterrence and invites coercion. Clarity, unity and political resolve are therefore indispensable.

The UEF calls for the establishment, at the request of Denmark, of a limited and multinational European deterrent presence in Greenland. Such a presence would not be directed against any ally, nor would it imply the militarisation of the Arctic. Its purpose would be purely to increase deterrence, to internationalise the security of Greenland, to increase the political cost of any hostile action, and to demonstrate Europe’s readiness to defend its Member States in practice. This would also be the occasion for a military exercise of the European Union Rapid Deployment Capacity in Greenland, which has conducted 3 exercises in continental Europe and went operational last year.

2. Making mutual assistance credible

The UEF stresses the importance of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union. This clause creates a binding obligation of aid and assistance between Member States in the event of armed aggression.

The UEF suggests to Denmark to make clear, in advance, that any armed aggression against Greenland would lead it to request the activation of Article 42.7 TEU. Such advance notification would strengthen deterrence by removing uncertainty and by affirming that an attack on Greenland would automatically trigger a European response.

3. Reintegrating Greenland into the European legal order

Security measures alone may not be sufficient. The long-term protection of Greenland requires a stronger anchoring within the EU legal and political framework.

The UEF supports the opening of a political process allowing Greenland, if it so decides democratically, to seek a change of status and to become a Region Outermost of the European Union. This would entail full inclusion in the Union’s legal order, with the adaptations foreseen by the Treaties.

Such a process would require the consent of the people of Greenland and a revision of the Treaties. It would nevertheless send a clear message: Greenland is fully part of Europe’s political community and of its constitutional space.

4. Denmark at the core of Europe

Denmark has already taken an important step by abolishing its defence opt-out. Two issues remain. The UEF calls on Denmark to commit to joining the euro and to renounce its remaining opt-out in Justice and Home Affairs. Full participation in these areas would strengthen Denmark’s role at the core of European decision-making and enhance collective security and coherence. These steps should not be seen as concessions nor conditions for EU solidarity, but as strategic investments in EU’s unity and resilience.

5. A decisive European Council

The UEF calls on the President of the European Council to convene an extraordinary summit dedicated to the situation in Greenland and to European defence.

This European Council should:

• express full political backing for Denmark,
• affirm readiness to provide mutual assistance under Article 42.7 TEU, if requested.
• and launch concrete steps towards the implementation of Article 42.2 TEU, with a view to building a genuine common European defence, to be accompanied by political federalisation through the reform procedure of article 48 TEU.

Conclusion

The situation surrounding Greenland is a test of EU’s maturity as a political union. A EU deterrent presence, a credible commitment to mutual assistance, the reintegration of Greenland into the EU legal order, Denmark’s full participation in the Union, and renewed momentum towards common defence and political unification together form a coherent and necessary response.

The UEF calls on European institutions and Member States to act accordingly. European Union must protect its Member States, its territory and its constitutional order—without ambiguity and without delay.

Brussels, 7 January 2025

Domènec Ruiz Devesa, President of the UEF and MEP 2019-2024

Mathilde Baudouin, Secretary General of UEF