British News Agency

France opened a consulate on Friday in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, strengthening its diplomatic presence in the Arctic and fulfilling a promise made by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the island last June.

Thus, France became the first EU country to establish a consulate general 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.

Former Ambassador to Vietnam Jean-Noël Poirier assumed his duties upon arrival in Nuuk and will represent France in this semi-autonomous Danish territory with a population of around 56,000.

A diplomatic source told Euronews, “Only eight French citizens are registered in Nuuk, but there are probably around thirty French nationals living in Greenland.”

Despite the small French population on the island, the responsibilities of the new consulate will be expanded.

According to a statement released by the French Foreign Ministry on Friday, in addition to providing administrative support to French citizens, the consulate will work to “deepen existing cooperation projects with Greenland in the cultural, scientific and economic fields and strengthen political ties with local authorities.”

Paris says the aim is to strengthen ties between Greenland, France and the EU in a region that has become a major source of disagreement between Europe and the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly demanded that Washington take control of the territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.