Nuuk: Canada and France have moved to strengthen their presence in Greenland by opening diplomatic consulates in the Arctic territory, signalling firm support for NATO ally Denmark.
Canada formally opened its consulate in Nuuk on Friday, with Foreign Minister Anita Anand in attendance at the inauguration. Officials said the new mission would help deepen cooperation with Greenland on issues such as climate change, Arctic governance, and Inuit rights. Anand was accompanied by Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon, the country’s first Indigenous head of state, underlining Ottawa’s emphasis on Indigenous engagement in the Arctic.
I am en route to Nuuk for the opening of Canada’s new consulate — strengthening Canada’s presence, partnerships, and leadership in the Arctic. pic.twitter.com/sYaKLJLwlj
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) February 6, 2026
France also confirmed the launch of its diplomatic mission, becoming the first European Union country to establish a consulate general in Greenland. Jean-Noël Poirier has been appointed Consul General and will lead efforts to expand cooperation in cultural, scientific, and economic fields, while also strengthening political ties with Greenland’s local authorities.
Speaking ahead of taking up his post, Poirier said his immediate priority would be to listen closely to Greenlanders and understand their perspectives, while clearly expressing France’s support in line with the wishes of both Greenland and Denmark.
Canada had announced plans to open a consulate in Greenland in 2024, well before recent statements from US President Donald Trump about gaining control of the island. The formal opening was delayed from November due to harsh weather conditions. Trump has previously made controversial remarks about Canada itself, suggesting it should become the 51st US state.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has gained increased international attention due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources. Since returning to the White House, Trump has argued that the United States needs greater control over the island for security reasons, though he later stepped back from earlier threats after announcing a broad understanding with NATO leadership on expanding US influence in the Arctic.
A working group involving the United States, Denmark, and Greenland has since been set up to discuss security concerns in the region, although little detail has been shared publicly.
Several countries already maintain a diplomatic footprint in Nuuk. Iceland opened a consulate there in 2013, while the United States reopened its mission in 2020, decades after closing its original consulate in the early Cold War years.
