The Danish government is in full swing with the bilateral negotiations on the financial bill for 2027.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Greenlandic members of Parliament Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq) and Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA) were summoned to the first meeting with Finance Minister Peter Hummelgaard and representatives from the government. Both of them had half an hour to present their priorities.
The Danish government is in full swing with the bilateral negotiations on the financial bill for 2027.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Greenlandic members of Parliament Qarsoq Høegh-Dam (Naleraq) and Naaja H. Nathanielsen (IA) were summoned to the first meeting with Finance Minister Peter Hummelgaard and representatives from the government. Both of them had half an hour to present their priorities.
Danish areas of responsibility must be lifted
For Qarsoq Høegh-Dam, the meeting was primarily about repeating the message that the Danish areas of responsibility in Greenland must be lifted significantly in this election period.
– It is about fundamental changes to the Danish areas of responsibility, which must be lifted in this election period. We have at most three and a half years left, so it is urgent to put the agreements into action. For example, we have agreements on air control and charts, which have not yet been implemented. I have seen many examples of agreements that are not carried out, says Qarsoq Høegh-Dam and also mentions the municipal bailiffs who do not have proper facilities to handle arrestees.
– I myself have seen examples of people having to be placed in sheds or boat workshops because the necessary facilities are missing. It is a Danish area of responsibility, and we have to get the details under control – all the way down to the smallest communities, says Qarsoq Høegh-Dam, who has noted that there is a will to act in the government’s foundation.
– But words must turn into action. We have received many promises and signed agreements, but many things still need to be implemented.
The North Atlantic pool must be increased
According to Qarsoq Høegh-Dam, the North Atlantic pool, which in recent years has been 30 million kroner annually – or 120 million kroner over a four-year government period – both be raised and then the focus must be directed directly at initiatives in the North Atlantic.
For Naaja H. Nathanielsen, the focus is also on raising the Danish areas of responsibility to a contemporary level.
– In the foundation of the government, it has been promised to raise the Danish areas of responsibility in Greenland to a contemporary level. It costs money and I would like to know how you will finance it.
Naaja H. Nathanielsen, like Qarsoq Høegh-Dam, expressed that the North Atlantic pool must be raised.
– The North Atlantic pool has not been regulated for many years, even though inflation has eroded purchasing power. Here I experienced good responsiveness to our proposal to raise the pool, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who also mentioned a number of business initiatives that should continue to be supported.
– Microloans can, for example, create local jobs and strengthen the economy in smaller settlements. I think we should do more of that. The same applies to self-sufficiency. There are many applicants for the limited funds in the self-government’s self-sufficiency pool, so I have proposed to the Danish government to add funds so that more people can benefit from the scheme, she says.
Office of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Naaja H. Nathanielsen also focused on the rights of indigenous peoples and the lack of coordination of this in the various ministries.
– All ministries want to do something, but there is a lack of coordination. If a municipality has to contact five different places instead of one, the work will not be efficient. That is why I propose a dedicated office that brings together efforts for indigenous peoples’ rights across the Commonwealth of Nations. It must create an overview, coordinate initiatives and ensure that municipalities and regions receive the necessary support. The government should take that responsibility itself, says Naaja H. Nathanielsen.
