The European Parliament has underscored the importance of continued EU support for Greenland in addressing significant geostrategic challenges. On Thursday, the Parliament adopted its position on the EU’s relationship with its overseas countries and territories (OCTs), emphasising the need for investment, democratic oversight, and enhanced scrutiny.
This decision is part of a proposal from the European Commission to amend the EU Council’s decision regarding the EU-Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories (DOAG), which includes Greenland, scheduled for 2025. Adjusting this decision is essential to align the DOAG with the forthcoming EU long-term budget.
On Thursday, 12 November, Parliament voted on the DOAG: 460 votes in favour, 76 against, and 81 abstentions. Parliament has the right to consult on this matter. The 2021 decision, originally adopted by the Council, encompasses 13 OCTs, including Greenland.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) contend that this decision should strengthen ties with all OCTs, recognising their strategic positions in various regions, including the Caribbean, Indo-Pacific, Arctic, Antarctic, and Oceania. They assert that the EU must provide support to Greenland in addressing its critical challenges, which entail safeguarding its sovereignty, enhancing education and skill levels, achieving economic diversification, ensuring reliable connectivity, developing infrastructure for sustainable tourism, tackling climate change, and bolstering the capacity of the Greenlandic administration in formulating and implementing national policies. Moreover, the focus is on strengthening resilience, promoting self-sufficiency, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
MEPs advocate facilitating OCT participation in EU funding programmes addressing key areas such as biodiversity, environmental protection, Horizon Europe, the European Competitiveness Fund, and Erasmus+. They propose increasing funding for the 2028-2034 budget cycle, from €999 million to €2.084 billion (in current prices).
Additionally, the DOAG should enhance the role of civil society and local community groups, including those representing youth and indigenous populations, by promoting their involvement in relevant activities and projects. MEPs emphasise the need for engagement from communities whose lands, territories, resources, livelihoods, or cultural heritage may be affected by investment decisions related to the mining, extraction, and export of critical raw materials.
Finally, MEPs advocate for Parliament to have a comprehensive role in the OCTs-EU forum, which should convene annually. They want Parliament to be adequately informed about discussions between the Commission, OCTs, and member states on funding, critical infrastructure resilience, maritime security, and other relevant issues related to the DOAG.
The 13 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), linked to France, the Netherlands, and Denmark, are not sovereign but enjoy autonomy in several areas. They have been associated with the EU since 1958 to promote their development and strengthen economic ties. On 3 September, 2025, the European Commission proposed updating their EU association within the 2028-2034 financial framework.
Speaking after the vote, rapporteur and Committee on Development Chair Barry Andrews (Renew, IE) said: “We are in a new era of geopolitics in which the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories are more strategically important than ever. MEPs today are sending a clear message that our commitment to these partnerships must be backed by meaningful investment, stronger cooperation and the respect for international law.”
