Greenland–European Union relations Greenland–European Union relations Greenland, an autonomous constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark (which also includes the countries of Denmark and Faroe Islands) is one of the EU countries’ overseas countries and territories (OCT). Greenland receives funding from the EU for sustainable development and has signed agreements increasing cooperation with the EU. Greenland joined the then European Community in 1973 as a county along with Denmark, but after gaining autonomy with the introduction of home rule within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland voted to leave in 1982 and left in 1985, to become an OCT. The main reason for leaving
Fishing industry in Greenland is estimated to be more than 50%; contribution to gross national income of the country is reported to be as high as 20%. The fish that dominate the Greenlandic fishing industry are mainly shrimps, cod, halibut and salmons. They are caught and processed in Greenland and then are sold, often exported in frozen cans. The center of the fishing industry lies in the south of the country, the main hub is in Disko Bay in the southwest. Greenland’s entry into the market of European Union was in 1972. This was considered as harmful to the interests of Greenland, and eventually,