On Wednesday morning, France's Delegate Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment Promotion Nicolas Forissier gave a speech for Future Greenland.
The minister's speech particularly focused on the community between France and Greenland in the midst of turbulent times and the possibilities for strengthened business cooperation in the future. Among other things, in the area of raw materials, where France and Greenland signed a declaration of intent at the beginning of the week.
Sermitsiaq caught Nicolas Forissier for a few follow-up questions before he returned to France.
Coming for a win-win partnership
Monsieur Minister, why is France actually so interested in Greenland?
– For several reasons. One thing is that as a leading nation in Europe, we stand to uphold some important values, including the principle of people's self-determination in a complicated world. In addition, there are historical ties and friendship between Greenland and France, including cultural and scientific ties.
The minister mentions the polar explorer Paul-Émile Victor as a historical example before continuing. It is about both ideals and more pragmatic goals, Nicolas Forissier elaborates.
– Of course, we also come to Greenland because we see benefits for ourselves and our business community. As I say to politicians these days: We come for a win-win partnership that benefits both parties.
Tradition of close cooperation
You are a politician yourself and not a business leader. How can you be so sure that French business will meet these expectations that you are now creating?
– We have a French tradition of very close cooperation between public authorities and the private business community. It is true that companies of course make their own decisions, but I know that business is happy that we are coming here together and see opportunities.
When are you actually going to see more of Greenland than the meeting rooms when you're up here?
– Yes, fortunately we managed to go on a boat trip. Some of the employees saw whales, I didn't. That will have to be next time. I'm very interested in architecture, so I've seen a lot of the houses and had the historical reasons for their colors explained.
Greenland is high on my private list
Of course, most of the time was spent on the official program. The minister still has a few meetings left after the conversation with Sermitsiaq before heading to the airport later on Wednesday.
– That's the funny thing about a job like mine. You get to see a lot of things, including some things that very few people see. At the same time, there's not always time to go as deep into other countries as you'd like. I keep a list of places where I'd like to spend some more of my own private time. Greenland is high on that list.
