France becomes first EU country to open consulates in Greenland

France has opened a consulate in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, strengthening its diplomatic presence in the Arctic and keeping the promise made by President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the island last June.

By doing so, France becomes the first EU member country to open a general consulate in Greenland, ahead of its partners in the 27-member bloc.

However, Brussels is already represented on the island, following the opening of a European Commission office in 2024.

Jean-Noel Poirier, former French ambassador to Vietnam, took office on arrival in Nuuk, where he will represent France in this half-autonom Danish territory of about 56,000 people.

So far, French citizens living in Greenland relied on a limited consular agreement.

An honourary consul, Christine Winberg, handled basic administrative procedures and consular assistance on behalf of the French Embassy in Denmark.

Its role included issuing identity documents, providing support in cases of legal issues or deaths, and acting as a link to the small French community, according to French broadcaster BFM TV.

A diplomatic source said that only French citizen “s are registered in Nuuk, but perhaps about 30 live in Greenland”.

However, despite the small size of the French population on the island, the new consulate will have expanded responsibility, reports Telegraph, broadcast Periscope.

In addition to providing administrative support to French citizens, “will be worked to deepen existing co-operation projects with Greenland in cultural, scientific and economic fields, while simultaneously strengthening political ties with local authorities”, according to a statement published by the foreign ministry.

Paris says the goal is to strengthen ties between Greenland, France and the EU in a region that has become a source of considerable disagreements between Europe and the US, amid repeated US President Donald Trump's requests that Washington take over territory that is part of Denmark's Kingdom. /Periscope