On her visit to Nuuk, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced a pound 200 million Global Gateway Partnership Package, to be invested in and with Greenland this year and the next. The EU, Greenland and Denmark have also reinforced their partnership with a new Joint Declaration, signed in Nuuk by the President, Premier of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen.
President von der Leyen said: ‘Greenland can count on the EU. That was my message during my last visit. Today, I am back to deliver the real results of our close cooperation. With a new EU-Greenland Partnership package, worth pound 200 million. This will create new opportunities and a strong and engaged EU in both Greenland and the Arctic. Because Greenland is a strategic ally and a trusted friend.’
The Declaration and the investment package deepen the EU-Greenland cooperation across the board – from traditional areas, such as education and fisheries, to better satellite and cable connectivity, hydropower and critical raw materials. The package also focuses on investments that improve everyday life in the country: better housing, sustainable tourism and stronger support for small businesses.
A renewed Joint Declaration between the EU, Greenland and Denmark
The EU, Greenland and Denmark co-signed a new Joint Declaration on relations between the EU and Greenland to strengthen the common investment agenda, political dialogue and people-to-people exchanges, reaffirming a partnership grounded in shared values and interests.
Building on the previous Declaration from 2015, the new Joint Declaration recognises Greenland’s growing strategic importance and further strengthens and expands the partnership in areas of mutual interest. These include, among others, education and training, infrastructure development, sustainable raw materials, clean energy production, digital connectivity, sustainable tourism, housing, research and innovation, civil protection, resilience and security, fisheries, environment and climate action.
A new Global Gateway Partnership Package
The EU is mobilising a partnership package of pound 200 million for investments in Greenland. It will create new economic opportunities for the local population, while contributing to a sustainable, prosperous and peaceful Arctic region. A first set of Global Gateway projects in several priority sectors have already been agreed with Greenland, and we are working together on exploring a number of new investments:
Digital connectivity
Through the Enhanced Satellite Connectivity project for Greenland, the EU is partnering with Tusass to support the expansion of satellite capacities across Greenland through European providers over the next five years. This will improve the reliability, speed and resilience of digital connections, benefiting remote settlements, schools and businesses.
This builds on the EU’s ongoing support for the strengthening of digital connectivity on Greenland’s west coast.
In parallel, the EU is supporting feasibility work to assess whether data centres could become a viable opportunity for Greenland as the necessary energy and digital infrastructure develops.
Sustainable raw materials
The EU and Greenland will advance sustainable mining projects with a link to the European industry. Support will be provided through technical analysis and investor matchmaking and will contribute to stronger and more integrated and resilient value chains. This will build up on successful existing investments, such as the one in the Malmbjerg mining project.
The GreenRoc’s Amitsoq graphite project is another concrete example of this mutually beneficial partnership. As an EU Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act, it shows the potential for integrated Greenland-EU value chains, strengthening security of supply and supporting investment.
Sustainable energy
The EU will support a programme led by Greenland’s national energy utility company, Nukissiorfiit, to modernise and decarbonise energy supply in remote settlements. Through the deployment of hybrid renewable energy systems in towns and settlements, the programme will strengthen the reliability of electricity supply while expanding the use of renewable energy.
The EU and Greenland are also exploring support for the expansion of the Buksefjord hydropower plant, Greenland’s main hydropower facility, to respond to rising electricity demand in Nuuk.
Capacity building
The EU will support the Government of Greenland in strengthening its institutional capacity through the establishment of a Programme Management Unit, to ensure effective delivery of relevant policy priorities as well as EU-backed programmes under the EU-Greenland Partnership.
Jobs and quality of life
The EU and Greenland agreed to use the remaining funding to advance preparations for several additional programmes in priority areas, notably tourism and housing.
Sustainable tourism has been identified as one of the most immediate and promising opportunities for economic diversification, private sector development and job creation across Greenland.
Housing is also essential to address Greenland’s ageing housing stock, improve public health and the conditions for sustainable growth.
Background
Greenland is the largest recipient of EU support per capita among the Overseas Countries and Territories. The EU has earmarked pound 225 for the period 2021-2027 million, with 90% dedicated to education and 10% to green growth. The Commission has proposed pound 530 million for Greenland under the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, more than doubling the current level of support.
The EU’s partnership with Greenland is also underpinned by the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. As a central pillar of Greenland’s economy and a key area of cooperation, the EU provides pound 17.3 million to Greenland each year under the current fisheries protocol, including pound 3.2 million to support its national strategy for sustainable fisheries. The Agreement promotes the sustainable management of fish stocks, strengthens fisheries governance and contributes to economic stability in coastal communities. (will be available shortly)
In addition, Greenland remains eligible for EU horizontal programmes, such as Horizon Europe, the Connecting Europe Facility, Erasmus+, Creative Europe and InvestEU.
For more information
Statement by President von der Leyen (will be available shortly)
Greenland partnership
Greenland and the EU – Creating opportunities together
Factsheet on EU-Greenland Partnership
Joint Declaration
Quote(s)
Greenland can count on the EU. That was my message during my last visit. Today, I am back to deliver the real results of our close cooperation. With a new EU-Greenland Partnership package, worth pound 200 million. This will create new opportunities and a strong and engaged EU in both Greenland and the Arctic. Because Greenland is a strategic ally and a trusted friend.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Our partnership with Greenland is about creating opportunities that improve people’s everyday lives. Better internet connections, more reliable and cleaner energy, and new economic opportunities for communities across Greenland, including in the most remote areas. At the same time, by investing together through Global Gateway, we are strengthening Europe’s resilience, building trusted partnerships that benefit us all, and deepening economic ties between the EU and Greenland.
Jozef Síkela, Commissioner for International Partnerships
Joint Declaration by the European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other, on relations between the European Union and Greenland
The European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other, (hereinafter ‘the Sides’)
guided by the will to enhance the close historical, political, economic and cultural ties between them,
recalling the close and lasting links between the Sides as framed by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union1 Part IV, based on respect, mutual interest and shared values, including democracy and human rights, as well as the strict observance of international law, including respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and each sides’ obligations under relevant bilateral, regional, and international treaties and agreements,
welcoming a continued extension of the relations between the Sides since the signature of the Joint Declaration in 2015, including with the establishment of a European Commission Office in Greenland in 2024,
noting that the Act on Greenland Self-Government of 21 June 2009 frames the status of Greenland within the Kingdom of Denmark, vesting the Government of Greenland with the authority to assume new legislative and executive responsibility and, Kalaallit, the people of Greenland, the authority to decide its future in line with the principles of self-determination,
noting the close linguistic, cultural and historical ties between Kalaallit – the people of Greenland – with other Inuit of the Arctic region,
considering that Greenland and Denmark acknowledge that strong relationship with the European Union has had a positive effect on economic development and well-being of the Greenlandic society, and considering the desire expressed by the people of Greenland to further strengthen their relations with the EU as a way to promote their values, freedom and interests,
considering, as stipulated in Part IV of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, that Greenland is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union, and that there is a potential for an even closer relationship,
recalling that the citizens of Greenland, as citizens of the Kingdom of Denmark, have EU citizenship and reaffirming the mutual interest in developing fully the benefits coming from the relationship with the EU,
noting that fisheries remain a central pillar of Greenland’s economy, and a key area of cooperation with the European Union based on the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the EU, Greenland and Denmark2 and its Implementing Protocol3,
recognising education, training and employability as levers for the sustainable development of Greenland,
recognising that the climate and the geographic and demographic features of Greenland present unique challenges for securing a robust and effective infrastructure development,
affirming the importance to further strengthen their economic relations, grounded in respect, shared values, rule of law, compatible regulatory approaches, as well as high environmental, social and governance standards,
recognising the mutual benefits of deepening cross-sectoral cooperation and investments, including through strengthened linkages along respective value chains, closer engagement between economic operators, and the development of opportunities for their private sectors, contributing to sustainable growth, digital transformation, and long-term prosperity for their societies, and helping create closer links between their citizens,
considering that the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Material Value Chains of November 2023 is of mutual interest and a priority for both Sides, due to the role raw materials can play in the diversification of the Greenlandic economy and the role that Greenland can play as a potential supplier of raw materials for the EU in a secured, sustainable and undistorted manner based on free trade principles,
recognising the particular exposure of Greenland to the impacts of climate change, which further amplifies risks in the Arctic and beyond; and reaffirming our joint commitment to the Paris Agreement to fight climate change and perform a just energy transition,
considering the strategic position of Greenland in the Arctic and the role that close relations between the Sides can play in addressing common global challenges such as climate change, to strengthen the resilience and sustainable development of Greenland,
envisage to further strengthen their relations and cooperation based on shared interests and values, to the mutual benefit of their peoples, and to endow their mutual relations with a long-term perspective.
COMMON OBJECTIVES OF COOPERATION
The Sides state their intention to continue, expand, and further strengthen the relations and cooperation between the EU and Greenland in areas of mutual interest, including in the following areas:
Education and training, including by fostering a robust education sector, empowered youth, and a skilled workforce.
Infrastructure development and construction, including, inter alia, ports, airports, housing, as well as public service, education and care facilities.
Ocean governance, the blue economy, including the sustainable use, management and conservation of the marine environment and its resources, notably fisheries, by means of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Natural resources, including the sustainable and responsible development of raw materials value chains structured around high environmental, social and governance standards and contributing to industrial cooperation, long-term value creation and secure supply chains.
Safe and sustainable low-carbon energy production and technologies, as well as energy security, including the development of solutions for production, storage, distribution, and use of save and sustainable low-carbon energy solutions suitable for the Arctic and system resilience.
Connectivity including secure, resilient, and smart submarine cables, satellite and backbone infrastructures and related services, as well as digital governance, capacities and regulatory aspects.
Sustainable tourism, including through improving enabling conditions, local value creation and infrastructure development.
Culture, through support to creative industries including film, music, media, translation of Greenlandic and European literature and the protection of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.
Trade and business engagement notably in relation to investment facilitation, business climate, economic diversification and economic security.
Climate action, environment, water and waste, including to preserve biodiversity and ecosystems in general and foster a sustainable bioeconomy and the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy, also in the context of international environmental and related agreements.
Research and innovation in key areas of joint interest, such as environment and climate, connectivity, critical technologies including space data, artificial intelligence and language technologies, and natural resources.
The social and food sectors, including fostering the mobility of workforce, social protection systems and decent work for all, in full respect of the internationally recognised core labour standards, food safety and food security.
Civil protection, disaster resilience and crisis preparedness and prevention, including strengthening anticipation and response capacities, situational awareness as well as population preparedness.
Resilience, including countering hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, cooperation on cybersecurity and secure communication, and the protection of critical infrastructures and entities.
Human rights, labour and environmental standards, notably gender equality, the rights of the child and the rights of persons with disabilities.
Cooperation on Arctic issues, including on environmental, social and economic issues and resilience, to support the inclusive and sustainable development of Greenland to the benefit of its people and future generations.
DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COOPERATION
Based on the existing partnership framework, as provided for in Part IV of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Council Decision on the Overseas Association, including Greenland4, and the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement, which represent an appropriate framework for the partnership and its continuous development, the Sides will enhance their dialogue and seek closer cooperation on the issues of common interest defined above, including by:
Further strengthening their common investment agenda
Intensifying people-to-people exchanges, notably for students and researchers
Enhancing regular high-level dialogues on issues of common interests
The Sides share the conviction that their partnership will continue to benefit from the mutual knowledge and understanding acquired through their dialogue, people to people exchanges and long-standing cooperation.
This Declaration is not intended to create any legal or financial obligations under domestic or international law.
Signed in Nuuk, on 7 September 2026, in three original copies in the English language.
FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF GREENLAND
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Prime Minister
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF DENMARK
Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister
Commission greenlights the Netherlands’ fourth payment request for pound 661 million under NextGenerationEU
Today, the European Commission positively assessed the Netherlands’ fourth payment request of pound 661 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU.
This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and investments tied to this payment request, amongst others in the areas of innovation, education and energy efficiency.
The Commission found that the Netherlands has satisfactorily completed all 9 milestones and 15 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision.
Flagship measures in this payment request include major investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency, enabling offshore wind generation and contributing to over 820,000 energy-saving upgrades for homes; innovation and educational support, including boosting the use of green hydrogen through research and demonstration projects, launching projects to improve digital education solutions and up- and reskilling of unemployed persons; and significant tax and economic reforms such as limiting tax loopholes and supporting the transition to a new pension system.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54)
Commission inaugurates Europe’s largest industrial carbon capture and storage facility in the Netherlands
Today, the Yara Sluiskil plant, the largest commercial carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Europe started its operations in Sluikil, a village in the Zeeland province of the Netherlands.
The CO2 will be transported by ship and permanently stored under the Norwegian North Sea at the Northern Lights facility, funded by the EU under the Connecting Europe Facility. The industrial ammonia and fertiliser facility is expected to capture and liquefy up to 800,000 tons of CO2 annually from ammonia production.
This cross-border project is a direct result of the EU-Norway Green Alliance signed in 2023 – a powerful example of the benefits of European cooperation, combining private investment and public support and bringing together industry, the EU, its Member States, and Norway. Today’s inauguration ceremony, attended by Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra, reflected this partnership with the presence of Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and President and CEO of Yara International, Svein Tore Holsether.
Yara’s Sluiskil plant is a strategic investment in Europe’s industrial decarbonisation and competitiveness. It is expected to capture and store around 12 million tons of CO2 over the next 15 years. It will promote the reduction of emissions from energy intensive industries like fertilisers and ammonia. It will foster innovation, the creation of a strong industrial base and the development of this clean technology, as underlined in the Clean Industrial Deal and the recent proposal for the EU Emissions Trading System review.
In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Commissioner Hoekstra said: ‘Europe needs practical climate solutions that deliver real emissions reductions while strengthening industrial competitiveness. The carbon capture and storage project at Sluiskil shows what is possible when innovation and cross-border cooperation come together. This is exactly the kind of project Europe needs to combine climate ambition with a strong and resilient industrial base.’
You can follow the speech of the Commissioner this morning on EBS.
(For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)
2026 product safety sweep shows improving compliance with product safety rules while some gaps remain
Today, the Commission and market surveillance authorities presented the results of the 2026 product safety sweep. The sweep covered nearly 1,700 online listings for childcare and gym products. It assessed whether online marketplaces met key information requirements on information under the General Product Safety Regulation, including whether products named a responsible person in the EU and provided their contact details.
With better results compared to the previous year, the sweep shows that the safety of consumers is well protected, as businesses increasingly comply with EU product safety rules. 91% of marketplaces had registered in the Safety Gate Portal and designated the required point of contact for relevant authorities, compared with 53% last year. 100% of them also designated a single contact point for consumers, compared to 64% last year. However, gaps remain. Only 58% of the reviewed listings provided information simultaneously on manufacturer details, the responsible person in the EU and product identification.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: ‘Consumers should be able to trust that products sold online meet our safety standards. This is just good business. The sweep shows that these standards are increasingly being taken up by market players. This is good news for the safety of consumers and for the economy, but we need to intensify these efforts.’
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said: ‘Strong product safety rules protect people, wherever and however they shop. This year’s product safety sweep shows real progress, but it also exposes important gaps that still need to be closed. Our rules are there to protect people, and they must be respected by everyone selling into the EU market. Together with national authorities, we will continue to monitor compliance and take action where the rules are not followed.’
Between May and July 2026, national authorities screened almost 1,700 offers across 35 online marketplaces. As a result, they sent 560 orders to online marketplaces for non-compliant listings. National authorities and the Commission will continue monitoring compliance and pursue enforcement where needed. The findings will also contribute to the discussions during the International Product Safety Week, which runs until 10 September.
For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Antoine Lomba- Tel.: +32 2 299 32 33)
Commission to strengthen fight against transnational crimes through additional partnerships between Eurojust and third countries
Today, the European Commission proposed to start talks for partnerships between Eurojust and eight new third countries – with the goal of helping courts and prosecutors cooperate more closely to fight serious organised crime, including drug trafficking, cybercrime and money laundering. This is in line with the recently proposed revision of Eurojust’s mandate, which aims to reinforce the Agency’s cooperation with international partners in response to increasingly cross-border criminal threats.
If concluded, the agreements would introduce partnerships with Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and the United Arab Emirates.
Eurojust and the prospective new partner countries would be able to share operational information, support joint investigations with EU Member States, and strengthen day-to-day cooperation between judicial authorities.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, said: ‘Criminal groups excel at crossing borders and exploiting new technologies to escape justice. The more countries we cooperate with, the less room for manoeuvre we leave criminals to operate. These agreements would significantly expand our reach to bring perpetrators to justice.’
Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, said: “Serious organised crime is increasingly transnational, sophisticated and interconnected. Our response must be equally coordinated and interconnected . Only by working together across borders can we disrupt criminal networks and tackle drug trafficking, cybercrime and money laundering.”
Currently, Eurojust has agreements with 16 countries: Armenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. All these agreements include strong safeguards to protect personal data, privacy and fundamental rights, in line with EU law.
The Commission also has a mandate from the Council to negotiate cooperation agreements with 10 other third countries: Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia and Trkiye.
For more information: Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 2 296 75 33; Antoine Lomba- Tel.: +32 2 299 32 33)
Commission approves pound 53 million Czech State aid for construction of multifunctional hall in Brno
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a pound 53 million aid measure that Czechia intends to grant for finalising the construction of a multifunctional hall in Brno.
The measure will complement Czech public support that was approved by the Commission in July 2023. Today’s measure will cover an increase in the construction costs that was not anticipated at the initial stage of the project. Without the aid, the project would not continue. The increased costs, which are based on the results of public procurement procedures, relate to the technical fitout requirements of the infrastructure.
The Commission assessed the measure under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities under certain conditions. The Commission found that the additional aid is necessary and appropriate to strengthen sport and cultural economic activities that will contribute to the economic development of the South Moravian region. Furthermore, the Commission found that the aid is proportionate, as it will be limited to the minimum necessary, and will have limited impact on competition and trade between Member States. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.123593 in the State aid register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)
Commission clears acquisition of Hebei Mauri by ABF and Wilmar
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Hebei Mauri Food Co., Ltd. (‘Hebei Mauri’) of China by Associated British Foods plc (‘ABF’) of the UK and Wilmar International Limited (‘Wilmar’) of Singapore.
The transaction relates primarily to the manufacture and supply of baker’s yeast outside the European Economic Area (‘EEA’).
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the EEA and that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12533.
(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commissioner Serafin travels to South Korea and Japan to deepen relations and foster investments in the EU financial market and EU-bonds
This week, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, will be in South Korea and Japan to deepen relations between the EU and Asian financial market stakeholders and strengthen the EU’s presence in global capital markets. As the EU stands as one of the biggest issuers of Euro-denominated securities and the third largest issuer of AAA-rated sovereign debt globally, the Commissioner will discuss geopolitical developments and the international role of European capital markets, including the EU’s bond issuance and opportunities to further strengthen the EU’s investor base in Asia, including among public institutions and private investors.
Today, Commissioner Serafin will be in Seoul, where he will meet with representatives from the financial sector, such as Bank of Korea, as well as with Korea Investment Corporation. On Tuesday, the Commissioner will continue to engage with other Korean investors, such as Samsung Asset Management, Shinhan Bank, the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), and Kookmin Bank. This visit will be key for strengthening the EU’s dialogue with Korean institutional investors and financial market actors, presenting the EU as a reliable and attractive investment partner, and exploring opportunities to further diversify and expand the investor base for EU bonds.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Serafin will travel to Tokyo, where he will meet Minister of Finance of Japan, Satsuki Katayama, to talk about the EU-Japan economic and financial relationship, and opportunities for closer cooperation in capital markets. During the rest of his visit in Japan, the Commissioner will engage with investors and financial institutions, promoting the role of the European Union as a trusted issuer and investment partner. He will visit the Bank of Japan, Dai-Ichi Life, the Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, and Mizuho Financial Group.
Lastly, on Thursday, the Commissioner will conclude his visit with further talks on strengthening financial and investment links between the EU and Japan. For this, he will be meeting the representatives of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Nomura Securities, the Government Pension Investment Fund, and Nippon Life.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)
Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
Calendar items of the President and Commissioners
Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners