The European Commission will soon present a major investment package for Greenland, announced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, saying that the European Union will deepen cooperation with the United States and other partners to strengthen Arctic security.
At a conference after an emergency EU summit late last night, Von der Leyen said that the Union has not invested enough in the Arctic region and its security and that now is the time to increase investment.
"We are currently working on strengthening the EU's relations with Greenland, and as part of that, the Commission will soon propose a significant investment package," she said, adding that it has been proposed to double financial assistance to Greenland in the next EU budget from 2028.
In addition to investments, Von der Leyen said that the EU intends to deepen cooperation in the field of Arctic security with the US and all partners, mentioning the UK, Canada, Norway and Iceland.
"It has become a geopolitical necessity," she said, reiterating that increased defense spending could be used for European icebreakers and other equipment.
The informal meeting of the European Council members was convened after threats from US President Donald Trump, who has since ruled out the possibility of using force in Greenland and withdrawn the decision to impose tariffs on European countries that most opposed the US occupation of the autonomous Danish territory.
"We are clearly in a better position than we were 24 hours ago. Tonight we have learned the lessons of our common strategy," said the President of the European Commission.
According to her, there was unequivocal solidarity with Greenland and Denmark and support from the six EU members that the US threatened with additional tariffs.
"We have also engaged very actively with the US at different levels. We have done so firmly, but not in an escalating way," said Von der Leyen.
The EU, she added, was well prepared to apply trade countermeasures and non-tariff instruments if the US imposed tariffs.
Von der Leyen said that the EU's firm stance, readiness and unity have proven effective and that it "should maintain the same approach" in the future.
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