A five-strong delegation of Renew Europe MEPs travelled to Greenland and Iceland to discuss the future of EU-Arctic cooperation and the EU's role in the region’s economic, environmental, and strategic development.
Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer MEP was joined by Urmas Paet MEP (Reformierakond, EE - the European Parliament’s standing rapporteur on the Arctic), Morten Løkkegaard MEP (Venstre, DK), Stine Bosse MEP and Sigrid Friis MEP (Radikale Venstre, DK) in meetings with local political leaders and experts.
In Iceland, MEPs took part in a panel debate with ALDE Party member Viðreisn to discuss Iceland’s future role in the European project ahead of a proposed referendum in 2027 on talks surrounding Iceland’s potential accession to the EU.
MEPs stated that there is a strong desire for Iceland to join the EU due to its geopolitical position, and agreed that their home countries are all much stronger within the European Union than out of it.
The delegation will also meet Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede and the Chair of the Greenlandic Parliament, as well as a visit of key infrastructure in the capital Nuuk and leading businesses.
Ahead of the mission, Renew Europe MEPs released a statement affirming support for a European future for both Greenland and Iceland.
"It is time for the EU to reinforce its Arctic strategy to defend its interests and protect the values shared with citizens from the region. Renew Europe considers both Iceland and Greenland part of Europe through history, culture, trade ties, and models of social protection and equity. The EU must continue to engage with both Iceland and Greenland on policies that address the challenges and opportunities facing the Arctic, including all aspects of security and safety concerns, in the interest of all,” said the MEPs.
The mission comes in light of the latest provocations made by US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, and the shift towards a pro-EU stance in Iceland’s latest parliamentary elections.