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  Af Mariia Simonsen 28-06 2010 - 11:42

Greenland's premier Kuupik Kleist wasted no time taking up one of the most controversial topics on the government’s agenda in his address to the Inuit Circumpolar Council general assembly on Monday, June 28.

Speaking about Greenland’s plans to exploit its potential oil resources, he called on the ICC to allay concerns over the effects of new oil exploration by establishing procedures to give the public a say in the decision-making process.

“I would like the ICC to look at the experiences other Arctic regions have with oil exploration in order to come up with proposals for securing our interests,” he said.

Kleist reiterated his position that Greenlanders, as an indigenous group, hold the decision-making authority over its natural resources.

At the same time, he said his government is working with Danish authorities to ensure that oil companies live up to the highest safety requirements possible.

Securing income from oil, according to Kleist, will provide Greenland with a foundation for its future development.

“Raw materials extraction is one of the most promising cards we have in order to secure income,” he said, “but earning money quickly without considering the environment is not the policy of this government.”