Greenland blasts Denmark: “Your arrogance is devastating”

Frigid relations pushing world’s biggest island towards independence

Greenland’s membership in the Danish Commonwealth is looking increasingly bleak following Greenland’s government openly chastising the Danes for ignoring the island’s desire for independence.

Greenland’s foreign minister, Vittus Qujaukitsoq, has blasted Denmark for denying Greenland the chance to join international fishing organisations such as NAFO and NEAFC.

“The arrogance is devastating for our relations with the commonwealth,” Qujaukitsoq told Politiken newspaper.

“The state of things following years of denial and covert games from the Danish side has shown us that Greenland has not been taken seriously.”

READ MORE: Greenland threatening to drag Denmark and the US in front of the UN

Frigid relations
Qujaukitsoq also criticised Denmark for permitting US bases, such as the one in Thule, describing the proceedings as “a hodgepodge of 75 years of accumulated frustration and powerlessness”.

He contends that Greenland has been cheated out of compensation for hosting the bases, which only “fostered trouble and pollution” while Denmark gained more influence via its NATO membership.

In October, Greenland established a department for independence, and last month the island threatened to drag Denmark and the US in front of a UN court in the wake of pollution caused by the remnants of an abandoned US missile base, Camp Century.

A unanimous Greenlandic Parliament also decreed that the defence agreement between Denmark and the US should be renegotiated to better accommodate Greenland for hosting the Thule Base. Reconciliatory meetings between the two nations have so far proven unfruitful.

READ MORE: New US atomic scandal uncovered in Greenland

Danes deny
Denmark’s prime minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, didn’t wish to comment, but the foreign minister, Anders Samuelsen, said the criticism was groundless and damaging.

“I don’t recognise the arrogant approach that Vittus Qujaukitsoq has alluded to,” Samuelsen told Politiken.

“We have clearly stated, including in our government platform, that it is key for the government to handle the important cases regarding the Thule Base and Camp Century in co-operation with Greenland. We must continue to do so via a close and constructive co-operation that keeps a focus on solutions.”

Lots to discuss: US secretary of state, John Kerry visited Greenland in June. Vittus Qujaukitsoq is on the far right next to former foreign minister Kristian Jensen. Seated behind them is the US ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford (photo: US Department of State)
Lots to discuss: the US secretary of state, John Kerry (left), visited Greenland in June. Vittus Qujaukitsoq (right) was sat next to the former foreign minister, Kristian Jensen, when seated behind them was the US ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford (photo: US Department of State)

TOP STORIES

  • Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    Bestselling author of ‘The Year of Living Danishly’ Helen Russell on why she moved back to the UK after 12 years

    After more than a decade living in Denmark, Russell shares why she made the move, how she’s coping, what she already misses, and the exciting new projects she’s working on. “It’s been a very tough decision. I love Denmark, and it will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says.

  • Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    Denmark launches first AI supercomputer

    The new Gefion AI supercomputer is one of the world’s fastest and will accelerate research and provide new opportunities in Danish academia and industry.

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs