If Greenlanders were forced to choose between closer cooperation with the EU or the US, the choice would be clear: the EU.
This is shown by a new poll, where 65 percent of those surveyed believe that it would be best for Greenland to strengthen cooperation with the EU, while only five percent prefer closer cooperation with the US. Almost two-thirds thus clearly lean towards the EU. 29 percent do not take a position.
The poll was conducted by survey expert and analyst Sune Steffen Hansen for The Copenhagen Post between January 22 and 29. The survey is based on 610 interviews and is representative across age groups and municipalities in Greenland.
Greenland left the EC in 1985 following a referendum in 1982, primarily due to opposition to the Common Fisheries Policy. Despite the withdrawal, Greenland continues to have close relations with the EU and has access to the European market through a number of cooperation agreements.
At the same time, parts of the Greenlandic business community and political decision-makers have in recent years advocated expanding cooperation with the United States. However, this image is not shared by the population.
Support is common across all age groups
– The survey shows very clearly where the population stands. There is an overwhelming tendency for Greenlanders to seek the EU, says Sune Steffen Hansen.
– There are no previous surveys on this particular issue. But even though decision-makers have talked about increased cooperation with the US, this is not catching on with the population.
According to Hansen, the result makes a special impression because the concept of “increased collaboration” can be interpreted broadly.
– There can be several interpretations of what increased cooperation entails. Therefore, it is extremely surprising that only five percent want closer cooperation with the US, he says.
Support for the EU is consistent across all age groups. Among the oldest respondents, almost eight out of ten prefer closer cooperation with the EU, while support among the youngest is around average.
– There is a smaller group that did not want to disclose their age, and that pulls the numbers down a bit. But across age groups, the trend is quite clear, says Sune Steffen Hansen.
