Foreign Affairs

Chapter 4: Foreign Affairs

Section 11. Naalakkersuisut can act in inter-people matters as stipulated in this chapter and in agreements with the government.

PCS. 2. The Government and Naalakkersuisut cooperate in matters between peoples as stipulated in this chapter with a view to securing both Greenland's interests and the overall interests of the Kingdom of Denmark.

PCS. 3. The powers given to Naalakkersuisut in this chapter do not limit the constitutional responsibilities and powers of the Danish authorities in international affairs, as foreign and security policy are national affairs.

§ 12. Naalakkersuisut can negotiate and enter into international law agreements with foreign states and international organizations on behalf of the kingdom, including management agreements which only concern Greenland and fully concern taken over case areas.

PCS. 2. Agreements under international law, which only concern Greenland and the Faroe Islands and fully concern taken-over case areas, can be negotiated and entered into on behalf of the kingdom by Naalakkersuisut and the Faroe Islands' national government jointly, following a decision by both Naalakkersuisut and the Faroe Islands' national government.

PCS. 3. Agreements under international law that have been entered into pursuant to subsection 1 or no. 2, can be terminated according to the same provisions.

PCS. 4. Agreements under international law which affect defense and security policy, as well as agreements under international law which must apply to Denmark, or which are negotiated within an international organization of which the Kingdom of Denmark is a member, are negotiated and concluded in accordance with the rules in § 13.

PCS. 5. Naalakkersuisut informs the government of intended negotiations before they begin, and of the progress of the negotiations, before agreements under international law are entered into or terminated. The detailed framework for cooperation in accordance with this provision is determined after negotiation between Naalakkersuisut and the government.

PCS. 6. Agreements under international law pursuant to subsection 1 is entered into on behalf of the kingdom by Naalakkersuisut under the designation:

1) The Kingdom of Denmark, as far as Greenland is concerned, where the agreement appears to have been entered into between states.

2) Naalakkersuisut, where the agreement appears to have been entered into between governments or between administrative authorities. In such a case, reference is made in the preamble of the agreement to this Act as determined in more detail pursuant to subsection 8.

PCS. 7. Agreements under international law pursuant to subsection 2 is entered into on behalf of the kingdom by Naalakkersuisut and the Faroe Islands' national government in association under the name Kingdom of Denmark, as far as the Faroe Islands and Greenland are concerned.

PCS. 8. Detailed rules for the use of designations mentioned in subsection 6 and 7 as well as other similar designations can be determined pursuant to subsection 5.

Section 13. The government informs Naalakkersuisut prior to the initiation of negotiations on agreements under international law that have particular significance for Greenland. At the request of Naalakkersuisut, an agreement can be entered into with the relevant minister, who lays down detailed cooperation rules within the framework of this provision, including a detailed determination of criteria for when agreements are to be considered to have special significance for Greenland.

PCS. 2. In cases that only concern Greenland, the government can authorize Naalakkersuisut to conduct the negotiations with the assistance of the foreign service.

PCS. 3. Agreements where Denmark and Greenland have been jointly involved in the negotiations are signed by the government, as far as possible together with Naalakkersuisut.

PCS. 4. Agreements under international law, which have special significance for Greenland, must be submitted to Naalakkersuisut for an opinion before entering into or terminating them. If the government finds it necessary to enter into the agreement without Naalakkersuisut's approval, this will take place to the greatest extent possible without effect for Greenland.

§ 14. Where international organizations open access for entities other than states and associations of states to obtain membership in their own name, the government may, at the request of Naalakkersuisut, decide to submit or support an application to this effect from Greenland, where this is compatible with Greenland's constitutional status.

§ 15. At the request of Naalakkersuisut, representatives of Naalakkersuisut are employed at the foreign missions of the Kingdom of Denmark to look after Greenlandic interests in areas of matter which are fully taken over by self-government. The government can decide that the expenses in this regard must be borne by Naalakkersuisut.

§ 16. Greenland's Self-Government is subject to the obligations arising from international agreements and other international rules which are binding on the kingdom at all times.

PCS. 2. Measures which the self-government intends to take, and whose implementation is of significant importance for the kingdom's relations with foreign countries, including the kingdom's participation in international cooperation, are negotiated with the government before adoption.