Few people know this, but the first nation to leave the EU was not the UK, it was Greenland.
In 1973 Greenland joined the then-called European Economic Community (EEC) as part of Denmark’s accession. But after Greenland was able to pass Home Rule in 79, which gave them freedom to manage most of their own internal affairs, they held a referendum in 82 and in 85 effectively left it.
You may wonder: why would Greenland not want to be part of the European project?
The simple answer is: because it did not make sense for Greenland. It made no sense economically, politically or in terms of identity.
Let's understand why
Economically. 1982 was a turning point in the politics of oceans. The UN passed the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III), granting coastal states exclusive rights to manage resources within 200 miles, the famous EEZ. At the same time, the EEC formalised the Common Fisheries Policy, opening members’ waters and forcing them to share resources with each other.
With over 44,000 km of coastline, Greenland gained one of the world’s largest EEZs. Its economy was (and still is) dependent on fish, its main export and domestic industry. Greenland had no interest in fishing in other EEC waters, but European fleets were very interested in theirs. Economically, the EEC made no sense.
Politically. WWII changed Greenland’s status. When Denmark was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940, its colonial status was left in limbo, forcing local leaders to declare it a self-governing territory during the war, a first seed of autonomy. Later, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the recognition of the principle of self-determination, fueled a wave of decolonisation across the world and gave Greenlanders the confidence to demand greater control over their own destiny.
By 1979, Greenland had achieved Home Rule, bringing sovereignty and decision-making back home. The idea of once again having policies decided far away (this time in Brussels) felt like a step backwards. Politically, the EEC made no sense.
Identity. Greenland is located in North America and sits on the North Atlantic Craton, an ancient landmass that once connected today’s Canada and Greenland. Apart from a few centuries of Viking and Danish rule, it has always been the home of the Inuit, descendants of the Thule people.
When I was in Greenland, I asked a woman from Upernavik to classify different identities as “family,” “neighbours,” or “strangers.” I asked about Canadian Inuits, she said family. I asked about Danes, she said neighbours. I asked about Nordics she said neighbour-strangers. I asked about the EU, she said complete strangers. In other words, Greenlanders do not see themselves as European or feel any sense of belonging to Europe. In terms of identity, the EEC made no sense.
Greenland, I am very impressed by the strong personality you are proving to have and I am very proud to see you allow yourself to be the nation you have always been.
