Greenland and the European Union

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Greenland
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Greenland

Prime Minister Hans Enoksen Parliament Political parties Elections: 2005 Administrative divisions Greenland and the EU See also: Politics of Denmark
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Greenland originally joined the European Community with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 after a dispute over fishing rights and a referendum on the issue.^[1] However, because it is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the EU member states, the European Union has some effect on it, mostly with trade benefits for goods of Greenlandic origin.

Greenlandic citizens have EU citizenship^{[citation needed]} , but cannot vote in EU affairs.^{[citation needed]}

There has been some speculation as to whether Greenland may consider rejoining the European Union. On 4 January 2007 the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten quoted the former Danish minister for Greenland, Tom Høyem, as saying "I would not be surprised if Greenland again becomes a member of the EU... The EU needs the Arctic window and Greenland cannot alone manage the gigantic Arctic possibilities".^[2]

[edit] Footnotes

^ European Commission (2005-11-10). 1985. The History of the European Union. Retrieved on 2006-01-18.
^ "Greenland could re-join the EU", EUobserver Review, 2007-01-05. Retrieved on 2007-06-25.