At the request of Greenland and Denmark, an EU expert mission has been launched to strengthen the basis for discussions between Greenland, Denmark, and the EU on how to strengthen civil protection in Greenland.
On September 21, an EU expert mission was launched to focus on opportunities to strengthen cooperation on prevention and resilience in Greenland. Among other things, the experts will meet with relevant emergency response stakeholders in Greenland to gain a comprehensive overview of emergency preparedness in Greenland and, based on this, will prepare a report that can serve as a basis for discussions between Greenland, Denmark, and the EU on how civil emergency preparedness in Greenland can be further strengthened. The Danish side is ready to support any initiatives identified in the report that the Greenlandic self-government wishes to pursue.
Naalakkersuisut and the Danish government have requested that the European Commission dispatch an EU expert mission under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which supports and coordinates the EU’s civil assistance for both the prevention and management of major disasters. It is expected that the EU expert mission will also be able to identify initiatives for which the European Commission could provide follow-up support.
Danish and Greenlandic authorities are already cooperating on civil emergency preparedness. In addition, there is a strong shared desire on the part of the EU, Greenland, and Denmark to strengthen and expand cooperation among the three parties in the area of emergency preparedness.
The mission was launched following the signing of a joint declaration by the EU, Greenland, and Denmark during the visit of the Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission to Greenland on September 6 and 7 of this year.
Naalakkersuisoq for Housing, Infrastructure, Outlying Districts, and Emergency Preparedness, Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco, says:
“A strong emergency response system is crucial for Greenland and the safety of its people. We live in a country with vast distances and unique geographical and climatic conditions. That is why it is important that we constantly work to strengthen and develop our emergency response capabilities. I am very pleased that the EU is showing solidarity and wishes to collaborate with us on this task. It is valuable to draw on international perspectives and experiences so that we can identify where and how we can improve our efforts. I look forward to receiving the recommendations from the EU mission, which can help chart the way forward and better equip us to handle the challenges of the future—for the benefit of all of Greenland.”
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Gender Equality, states:
“In the Arctic, the vast distances and extreme conditions can very quickly turn an emergency into a crisis. Together with Greenland and Denmark, we are strengthening our cooperation on civil emergency preparedness and resilience. This mission is about building on Greenland’s experiences, pooling our expertise, and learning from one another how we can further strengthen our preparedness. We cannot choose when the next crisis will occur, but we can choose how well prepared we are.”
Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, says: “Greenland
faces a number of challenges in terms of civil emergency preparedness, particularly as a result of climate change, which is making natural disasters more frequent. It is important that all citizens of the Realm can feel safe—no matter where they live. This is a complex task. The strong cooperation and mutual trust between Greenland and Denmark are crucial. But it is also crucial that we strengthen cooperation among our good friends and partners. That is why it is also important that we, on the Danish side, do what we can to support cooperation between the EU and Greenland on emergency preparedness and civil security. This EU mission is an example of the increased and closer cooperation between Greenland, Denmark, and the EU on civil emergency preparedness and crisis management.”
The team behind the mission will visit Nuuk, Uummannaq, Sisimiut, Ilulissat, and Kangerlussuaq in Greenland.
