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Issues in Focus

Partnership with Greenland

Fact Sheet: Partnership Between the United States and Greenland and Denmark
Copenhagen, May 2006

The United States and Denmark, including the Home Rule Government of Greenland, signed agreements in Igaliku, Greenland that set up a Joint Committee to broaden and deepen cooperation between the United States and Greenland. The Joint Committee promotes concrete cooperation in a wide range of scientific, environmental, economic, commercial and educational areas.

Representatives of the three parties first met in the Joint Committee in the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, October 5-6, 2004, again in Washington May 18-20, 2005, and now in Copenhagen 30-31 May, 2006. These sessions, considerably advancing the cooperation agreed in Igaliku, have produced substantial results in programs, projects, and partnerships across many agencies. The fourth meeting of the Joint Committee will be hosted by Greenland in the first half of 2007. Some illustrative examples of results of the 2006 meeting are highlighted below:

Science/Energy: A Memorandum of Understanding between the US Geological Survey, Greenland Home Rule Government, and Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) concerning energy and scientific cooperation signed on 31 May 2006.

  • Trade and Tourism: Air Greenland announced the opening of a new summer air route between Kangerlussuaq and Baltimore in May 2007. The parties will seek a reciprocal tax exemption agreement related to the aviation sector. Greenland now has the opportunity to export musk ox and reindeer to the United States.
  • National Park Cooperation: Following the visit of a Home Rule official to Alaska and visits by US officials to Greenland, cooperation is being developed between Nature Parks in Greenland and Alaska.
  • Environmental Site Surveys: Logistical cooperation on remote environmental site surveys and scientific research projects continues to be strengthened and technical cooperation on waste treatment and water cleaning is being developed.
  • Climate change: Scientific contacts have been made with a view to deepening cooperation in the coming years and joint grant proposals have been developed.
  • English Language Programs: Inerisaavik will host an American English Language Fellow for ten months from August 2006 to June 2007. The State Department arranged the study tour of an Inerisaavik employee to the US and distributes its English Teaching Forum magazine to teachers of English throughout Greenland.
  • Education: Exchange programs are being further promoted, including the Fulbright program.
  • Telemedicine: Cooperation on medical needs in remote areas is being developed i.a. through an upcoming visit to Alaska by Greenland Health Authorities.
  • Environment and Education: Greenland schools have joined the GLOBE science and environment education program and linked with worldwide environmental scientific projects.
  • Cultural Cooperation: With funding from the American Association of Museum's International Partnership Among Museum's (IPAM) program, a formal IPAM partnership has been established between The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum in Maine, US and the Greenland National Museum and Archives.
  • Energy Cooperation: Government and private sector dialogue on alternative and renewable energies, as well as industrial cooperation, is being strengthened.

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