Den 21. september 2026 blev der indledt en EU-ekspertmission, der skal fokusere på mulighederne for at styrke samarbejdet om forebyggelse og robusthed i Grønland. Eksperterne skal blandt andet mødes med relevante beredskabsaktører i Grønland for at få et helhedsbillede af beredskabet i Grønland og vil på baggrund heraf udarbejde en rapport, som kan benyttes som grundlag for drøftelser mellem Grønland, Danmark og EU om, hvordan det civile beredskab i Grønland kan styrkes yderligere. Fra dansk side er man klar til at bakke op om initiativer, som rapporten måtte pege på, og som Grønlands selvstyre ønsker at gå videre med. 

Naalakkersuisut og den danske regering har anmodet EU-Kommissionen om en EU-ekspertmission inden for rammerne af EU’s civilbeskyttelsesmekanisme, som understøtter og koordinerer EU’s civile hjælp til både forebyggelse og håndtering af større katastrofer. Det forventes, at EU-ekspertmissionen også vil kunne angive initiativer, hvor EU-Kommissionen vil kunne følge op med støtte.

Danske og grønlandske myndigheder samarbejder allerede om det civile beredskab. Herudover er der et stærkt fælles ønske fra EU, Grønland og Danmark om at styrke og udbygge samarbejdet mellem de tre parter om beredskabsområdet.

Missionen er indledt i forlængelse af, at EU, Grønland og Danmark underskrev en fælleserklæring i forbindelse med statsministerens og EU-Kommissionsformandens besøg i Grønland den 6. og 7. september i år. 

Naalakkersuisoq for Boliger, Infrastruktur, Yderdistrikter og Beredskab Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco siger:

”Et stærkt beredskab er afgørende for Grønland og grønlændernes tryghed. Vi lever i et land med store afstande og særlige geografiske og klimatiske forhold. Derfor er det vigtigt, at vi hele tiden arbejder på at styrke og udvikle vores beredskab. Jeg er meget glad for, at EU udviser solidaritet og ønsker at samarbejde med os om at løfte den opgave. Det er værdifuldt at få internationale perspektiver og erfaringer bragt i spil, så vi kan se på, hvor og hvordan vi kan forbedre vores indsats. Jeg ser frem til at modtage anbefalingerne fra EU-missionen, som kan være med til at vise vejen og ruste os bedre til at håndtere fremtidens udfordringer – til gavn for hele Grønland.

Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, says:

In the Arctic, vast distances and extreme conditions can turn an emergency into a crisis very quickly. Together with Greenland and Denmark, we are deepening our cooperation on civil preparedness and resilience. This mission is about building on Greenland’s experience, bringing our expertise together, and learning from one another how we can further enhance preparedness. We cannot choose when the next crisis will occur, but we can choose how prepared we are.

Minister for samfundssikkerhed og beredskab Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen siger:

Grønland står over for en række udfordringer i forhold til det civile beredskab, særligt som konsekvens af klimaforandringer, som gør naturkatastrofer mere hyppige. Det er vigtigt, at alle borgere i rigsfællesskabet kan føle sig trygge – uanset hvor man bor. Der er tale om en kompleks opgave. Det gode samarbejde og den gensidige tillid mellem Grønland og Danmark er afgørende. Men det er også afgørende, at vi styrker samarbejdet mellem vores gode venner og partnere. Derfor er det også vigtigt, at vi fra dansk side gør, hvad vi kan for at understøtte samarbejdet mellem EU og Grønland om beredskab og samfundssikkerhed. Denne EU-mission er et eksempel på det øgede og tættere samarbejde mellem Grønland, Danmark og EU om civilt beredskab og krisestyring.

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EU expert mission will strengthen the cooperation between Greenland, Denmark and the EU regarding civil preparedness in Greenland

Upon request from Greenland and Denmark the European Commission initiated an EU expert mission, intended to strengthen the foundation for further discussions between Greenland, Denmark and the EU on how to enhance civil preparedness in Greenland. 

On September 21, the EU initiated an expert mission that focuses on possibilities for strengthening the cooperation on prevention and resilience in Greenland. The experts will meet relevant actors and stakeholders in Greenland in order to obtain a full overview on civil preparedness in Greenland. The outcome of the mission will be accumulated in a report that can be used as a foundation for further discussions between Greenland, the EU and Denmark about how civil preparedness in Greenland can be galvanized. Denmark is prepared to examine the recommended initiatives that may emerge from the report, and that the Greenlandic authorities may wish to pursue. 

The Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark have requested the expert mission to Greenland under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, which supports and coordinates both prevention and preparedness in relation to, and assistance from the EU in crises and conflicts. The EU expert mission may also propose initiatives that the European Commission could support. 

Danish and Greenlandic authorities already work closely together on matters related to civil preparedness. In addition, there is a strong common wish from the EU, Greenland and Denmark to enhance and strengthen the cooperation between the three parties even further. The mission is an important element in this regard.

The mission were initiated in continuation of the recently adopted joint declaration by the EU, Greenland and Denmark related to president of the European Commission and the Prime Minister of Denmark’s visit to Greenland on 6-7 September this year.

Minister for Housing, Infrastructure, Outer Districts and Emergency Preparedness, Government of Greenland, Iddimanngiiu Jensen Bianco, says:

A strong emergency preparedness is crucial for Greenland and the safety of its people. We live in a country with large distances and unique geographical and climatical conditions. That is why it is important that we continuously work on strengthening and developing our preparedness. I am very happy that the EU shows solidarity and wants to cooperate with us to tackle this task. It is valuable to bring in international perspectives and experiences so we can improve our efforts. I look forward to receiving the recommendations from the experts in the EU mission team which can help equip us better to handle future challenges – for the benefit of all of Greenland.

The Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, says:

In the Arctic, vast distances and extreme conditions can turn an emergency into a crisis very quickly. Together with Greenland and Denmark, we are deepening our cooperation on civil preparedness and resilience. This mission is about building on Greenland’s experience, bringing our expertise together, and learning from one another how we can further enhance preparedness. We cannot choose when the next crisis will occur, but we can choose how prepared we are.

The Minister for Resilience and Preparedness, Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen says:

Greenland faces a series of challenges in regards to civil protection, in particular as a consequence of climate change, making natural catastrophes more frequent. It is crucial that all citizens in the Kingdom of Denmark can feel safe – regardless of where they live. That is no easy task. Good cooperation and mutual trust between Greenland and Denmark are pivotal. However, it is also important to strengthen the ties to our good friends and partners. Therefore, it is also imperative that we from Danish side do what we can to support and facilitate the cooperation between Greenland and the EU with regards to civil preparedness and resilience. This EU expert mission is an example of the increased and closer cooperation between Greenland, Denmark and the EU on civil preparedness and crisis management.

Contact
The Ministry of Resilience and Preparedness’s press contact +45 24 42 09 99 (Calls only).