N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s

NAP-NEWS BRUSSELS

K a l a a l l i t N u n a a t a S i n n i i s o q a f i a B r u x e l l e s - i m i

Headed for China

Lidas participation in Ove Karl

Berthelsen’s delegation to China

Page 2

Tractors in Rue d’Arlon

Tractors blocked the European

Quarter

Page 8

OCTA Bureau Experts

Meet the people behind the new

OCT Secretariat

Page 13

Whales and the IWC

Thousands of protest e-mails in

the inbox

Page 18

Visit from Maliina Abelsenfrom page 6

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 2

NAP-NEWS

I attended in parts of Ove Karl Berthelsen’s delegation to China in early November 2012. A trip which was well covered by the media at home, but here are a few impressions.

The Mining Fair in Tianjin was overwhelming, in a special way. For the opening ceremony, there were a number of ambassadors to the panel and as an example, both the Australian and South African ambassadors presented in Chinese.

The fair consisted of many stands, where both geology and investments were in focus - a number of companies from Greenland

attended as well as the Bureau of Mining and Petrolium, that had their own booth. In addition, there were a variety of presentations and themed seminars where Greenland also was in focus – the feed back has been very positive and it seems that China is a market were Greenlandic companies have potential for development, at which size we are not aware of at this stage.

In Beijing, we visited the Danish embassy, which was impressive. It was in its design very simple and Danish, but was also influenced by the Chinese Hutong style. The embassy was the center of the focus on Greenland in a few days, here Ove Karl held a press conference with raw materials as a main subject and a business campaign showed our potential in export of ice and water and Great Greenland's products specifically. Edda Lyberth from South Greenland made a very artistic impression, when she explained about our Greenlandic food specialities as an approach to a reception with a focus on our main export: fish products.

The tourism potential was very vividly stated by a Chinese blogger who has traveled in Greenland and stayed with the local people. Among other things, she showed a picture of herself in a Greenlandic national dress as an example of how close to the culture she had been and that she in a way felt a bit like a Greenlander.Albatros Travel, which also has Greenland in focus, and as a result of the visit new contracts were signed with traveling teams from China to Greenland, and was very positive for increased cooperation on Greenland's interests, for example via a trainee programme for students.

The Danish ambassador thanked Ove Karl for the visit, and reported that the interest of Greenland in China certainly had been highlighted during the visit and also by Ane Hansen's visit earlier that year. This was a sign of an increased desire for cooperation, which the ambassador also sensed from the Chinese side in the daily diplomatic interaction with Chinese interests.

Headed for Chinaby Lida S. Lennert

The delegation at the Forbidden City in China

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 3

NAP-NEWS - HEADED FOR CHINA

Pressmeeting with Jørn Skov Nielsen, Ove Karl Berthelsen and Friis Arne Petersen

Greenland’s delegation at the Mining Fair

Meeting in Beijing

The atmosphere

Chinese blogger telling about her Greenland experiences

Great Greenland fashion show at the Danish Embassy

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 4

NAP-NEWS

Greenlandic Job Fair 2012

Greenland Representation in Brussels was represented again at this year’s Greenlandic job fair in Copenhagen and Århus the 16th and 17th November 2012.

The annual Job Fair is a forum where the objective is to create contact between the Greenlandic students in Denmark and a various employees and businesses back home in Greenland. It was two exciting and fruitful days and a very encouraging experience to talk with the students that attended. Greenland Representation in Brussels shared a stand with other units and ministries of the Greenland Self-Government, where the students could ask questions and get an overview of the conditions working in government and the possibilities connected with an internship at Greenland Representation in Brussels.

Jacob Isbosethsen from Greenland Representation in Brussels gave a lecture about the Representation’s work, which assignments is managed in Brussels and last but not least, which personal and professional qualifications the Representation requires. Again, this year, there were several students that have positive interests for a future internship, and it is still the overall objective, that we need and want more qualified Greenlandic students in the coming years.

Besides many lectures from a range of businesses there were also entertainment and competitions, which the students actively participated in. All in all it was a worthwhile experience in these two days. There is no doubt, that Greenland Representation will be present in the next Greenlandic Job Fair in the Autumn 2013.

Visit at Ilisimatusarfik

In collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik, Lida held a presentation of the Greenland Self-Government’s cooperation with the EU Commission, EU agreements and the possibilities for the students being an intern at the Greenland Representation in Brussels.

About 15 people participated in the presentation, and namely questions related to the government’s relation with the EU, the advantages and disadvantages of our relations with the EU, working in Brussels, the cooperation with EU institutions and foreign policy priorities in general was raised.

There was a general interest for the discussion of Greenland abroad and our potentials regarding cooperation.

Hereafter I got the opportunity to hear about the students thoughts about being ‘bridge builders’ in a changing society, their thoughts about education and the community/ the family’s view on their skills and the feeling of “sticking out in the crowd” – which I remember one of the students described the studying at the university as.

I hope the students benefitted from it as much as I did. A dialogue with them is very rewarding!

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 5

NAP-NEWS

Italian energy interests in Greenland

In November, an Italian energy company and an Italian lobbying group visited Nuuk. The visit was derived from the EU Commissioner for Industry Antonio Tajani’s interest for Italian companies to explore the potentials for cooperation with Greenland. Sorgent'e and Pragmata Institute, who were represented held a series of meetings with the Government of Greenland and with Nukissiorfiit, who hosted a visit to Buksefjord Power Station and also a sight inspection in Kangerlussuaq about the possibilities of "small scale" hydro power stations.

The visit has developed contacts and good networks for European investment in Greenland, as part of the implementation of the "letter of intent" on the raw materials sector, concluded between the Government of Greenland and the EU Commission in the summer of 2012.

Think Tank discusses raw materials

Cabinet DN, which is one of Brussels think tanks, held a meeting with Greenland on the agenda.The moderator was a former Irish Prime Minister and the participants were mining companies and consultants with an interest in Greenland's development.

During the meeting Lida S. Lennert reviewed Greenland's interests in the EU, hereafter the participants (about 25) asked questions directed towards the mining sectors development and the Self-Government strategies and policies. Of particular interest was the status of Greenland within the EU and in the commonwealth, including specific questions about the attraction of foreign capital to the mining sector.

Some of the companies had a good knowledge of the circumstances and was able to highlight conditions for mining activities in a dialogue with the others. Former spin doctor for Anders Fogh Rasmussen was also present and contributed to the debate on how Denmark and Greenland worked together and jointly created the interest ever growing interest in which both the EU wants to engage wider with Greenland, but also pointing out that the international interest has opened their eyes to Greenland.

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 6

NAP-NEWS

Seminar at the European ParliamentFinance Minister Maliina Abelsen attended, as part of the panel, in a seminar organised by MEP Margrete Auken on the 26th of November 2012 with the title: "Mining and Sustainable Development in the Arctic". The seminar was organised to communicate a better understanding of how different factors are involved in the

sustainable development and the development of mining industry in the Arctic. And so, the seminar included presentations from Jacqueline McGlade and Patrice Christmann from the European Environment Agency as well as scholar Damien Degeorges.

After the presentations, there were an open discussion with the panel, which in addition to Maliina Abelsen and the speakers included representatives from the Commission, EuroGeoSurveys and the International Polar Foundation. It appeared quickly of

the questions and the debate, that there is a great interest of Greenland and the area of raw materials. It emerged especially from Margrete Auken’s side that there are great concerns for the environment in connection with the

exploitation of raw materials. She appealed carefulness, but also praised Greenland for the focus on the environment.

Maliina Abelsen put forward Greenland’s views on the development and stressed that Greenland has every right to develop its economy for the welfare of its people. Maliina Abelsen also presented facts on the political situation in Greenland and ensured the long-term focus and the long-standing deliberations, which have gone forward with regards to the development of raw materials industry.

Visit From Finance Minister Maliina Abelsen

MEP Margrete Auken and Maliina Abelsen

Maliina Abelsen having a meeting with Pierre Viemont from EEAS

Some of the participants from the seminar at the European Parliament

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 7

NAP-NEWS

Lunch Briefing with "Friends of Greenland"

In connection with Maliina Abelsen’s visit the Greenland Representation in Brussels organised a lunch briefing on the 27th of November 2012 for “Friends of Greenland”. This group consists of external partners from different general directorates from the Commission, the Council, the European Parliament, diplomatic representations and embassies.

This gave Maliina Abelsen an opportunity to give a status on the priorities, the focus and the attempts to create sustainable development from the Government of Greenland, for the about 40 persons attending. She also stressed the need for a closer and stronger partnership between Greenland and the EU in the different areas of common interest.

From the attendants a large interest for Greenland and the on-going development could be sensed. In connection to the conclusion, Maliina Abelsen remarked “how happy she was to know just how many friends she has in Brussels.”

Meeting with Selected EU Representatives

With the Danish EU ambassador’s residence as the setting, the visit of Maliina Abelsen was utilized to a meeting with a number of EU ambassadors and Cabinet Tajani. The participants’ questions and interests focused on capacity building in a future raw materials sector in development, foreign labour from third countries, experiences from similar societies, the question about Greenland’s connection to the EU in the future, including the strengths and weaknesses of the OCT association in relation to Greenland.

Cabinet Tajani underlined Commissioner Tajani’s intense engagement in Greenland and that he in all forums, retells the big potentials he sees in the development. From the Greenlandic part, the interest for co-operation with the Commission is present, but is depending on the relevant funding that can be linked with the intentions.

Crowded at the briefing

Maliina Abelsen presented, among other things, Naalakkersuisuts priorities for development in Greenland

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 8

NAP-NEWSTractors in Rue d'Arlon

In the days of 26th and 27th of November 2012, farmers demonstrated, in cooperation with the European Milk Board, outside the European Parliament in Brussels. Dairy farmers from across Europe demonstrated against falling milk prices, by squirting with milk and burning hay and manure on big bonfires. The demonstration also had an impact on the Greenland Representation, where the whole street was filled with tractors, which blocked all traffic in a large perimeter around the entire EU quarters! “Quality Milk for a reasonable price", written on one of the tractors, that blocked Rue d'Arlon

Ireland will hold the EU rotating presidency from January 1st 2013 to June

30th 2013. It is thus for the seventh time that Ireland has the Presidency, as they joined the EU 40 years ago.

Ireland's priorities for their Presidency is presented under the heading: "For Stability, Jobs and Growth". A main priority for Ireland is to accelerate the process of establishing a banking union, to create financial stability in Europe. A strengthening of the single market and strengthening the programs for growth and social cohesion in the negotiations on the EU budget for 2014-2020, is also at the top of the Irish agenda.

It is also the Irish presidency that has taken over the work of the negotiations for a new OCT Decision after the Cypriot Presidency.

The Presidency of the Council of the EUThe Presidency of the Council of the EU

Jan-Jun 2013 Ireland

Jul-Dec 2013 Lithuania

Jan-Jun 2014 Greece

Jul-Dec 2014 Italy

Jan-Jun 2015 Latvia

Jul-Dec 2015 Luxembourg

The Irish EU

Presidency

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 9

NAP-NEWSThe European Investment Bank

As  a  follow  up  on  the  intervention  from  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  in  the  11th  OCT-­‐EU  Forum  in  Ilulissat  2012,  and  the  Commissions  proposal  for  the  new  OAD,  a  meeting  between  the  EIB  and  ofGicials  from  Government  of  Greenland  was  established  in  November  2012.  The  main  objectives  were  to  exchange  of  information  and  explore  possible  opportunities  for  investments  in  Greenland.

The  EIB  focuses  its  investments  on  projects  mainly  in  the  energy-­‐,  water-­‐,  transport-­‐  and  in  telecommunication  sectors  but  also  projects  in  the  infrastructure  like  harbours  and  airports  are  interesting  ?ields  of  cooperation.  For  the  OCTs  there  is  a  total  amount  of  €  100  mio.  Available  for  projects,  hereby  €  5  mio.  For  technical  assistance  and  assessments  for  projects.  EIB  can  ?inance  both  private  and  public  projects,  and  can  maximum  ?inance  up  to  50  %  of  the  total  budget  in  a  project.

EIB  informed,  that  they  are  very  interested  in  mining  and  other  derived  projects  in  relation,  but  they  have  some  very  thight  and  narrow  criteria  that  needs  to  be  considered  if  they  are  going  to  get  involved  in  this  sector.  The  international  community  demands  consciousness  of  environment  so  the  EIB  is  very  selective  in  which  projects  they  will  involve  their  investments.  It  is  obvious  that  environment-­‐,  climate  and  derived  socialprojects  have  their  interests,  and  EIB  has  experience  from  related  projects  in  that  sector,  both  from  the  EU  and  third  countries.

It  was  concluded  that  the  parties  should  maintain  the  contacts,  exchange  further  information  before  possible  next  steps.  From  the  Government  of  Greenland,  deputy  minister  Jan  H.  Lynge-­‐Petersen  and  director  Peter  Beck,  both  from  the  Ministry  for  Finance  and  Jacob  Isbosethsen  from  the  Greenland  Representation  in  Brussels  participated  in  the  meeting.

North Norway - the European Arctic

On the 29th November 2012 Greenland Representation was invited to a seminar followed by a reception with arctic theme, hosted by North Norway European Office.

White paper from North NorwayThe reason for the seminar was the EU Arctic communication, which the North Norway European Office has a white paper as an response. The white paper argued, among other things that any EU Arctic policy should be to contribute to sustainable growth and development in the Arctic region. North Norway also emphasizes that dialogue and focus on the Arctic should be

of great importance for the EU to establish itself as a player in the Arctic. Knowledge and skills are essential for the local population in the Arctic, but Northern Norway reminds the EU, that there is a big difference between the Arctic peoples in Northern Norway, North America, Greenland and Asia. The white paper is also a tool to set focus on issues related to North Norway addressed to the EU's Arctic policy, an area which they believe is absent in Arctic communication.

Seminar on North Norway and the EU Arctic PolicyThe seminar also featured presentations by representatives from the EEAS, Northern Norway Industry-Government and the European Parliament. The presentations showed the EU's willingness to engage in the Arctic and adjust their policies towards the region. The North Norwegian representatives welcomed the EU's engagement, but stressed that development must be done in cooperation with the local population, as conditions in the Arctic is significantly different from conditions in Europe. All agreed the growing interest in the Arctic, not only the raw materials sector, but also in terms of the environment and climate change.

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 10

NAP-NEWS

The 4th of December 2012, Greenland signed together with the other Nordic countries; Iceland, Faroe Islands, Finland, Norway and Sweden a tax agreement with Jamaica.This is part of a joint Nordic project that involves each to sign a bilateral agreement on exchange of information on tax matters with the so-called "tax havens" in the fight against international tax evasion.Greenland has so far signed agreements with more than 40 different countries and other tax jurisdictions.

Tax Agreement with Jamaica

The ceremony took place at the Royal Danish Embassy in Brussels, where representatives from the respective countries attended the signing.The Head of the Greenland Representation in Brussels, Lida Skifte Lennert, signed the agreement on behalf of Greenland.The ceremony was followed by a short reception with Ambassador Poul Skytte Christoffersen as the host.

Lida S. Lennert with the representative of Jamaica after signing

Signing ceremony

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 11

NAP-NEWS

Participation in UNFCCC COP 18 Doha, Qatar 2012

On behalf of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association, OCTA, Jacob Isbosethsen participated as an observer in the UNFCCC COP 18 negotiations on climate change in Doha, Qatar 1st December – 8th December 2012.

What is COP 18?Since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) entered into force in 1994, the conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC has been meeting annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change. The COP is the “Supreme body” of the Convention, its highest decision making authority. The COP is an association of all the countries that are

Parties to the Convention.

At the moment there are 195 parties to the convention taking part in the climate change negotiations. All parties to the UNFCCC are represented at the COP at which they review the implementation of the convention and any other legal instruments that the COP adopts and take decisions to promote the effective implementation of the convention.

The COP is also serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP). The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and legally binds developed countries to emission reduction targets. The protocol’s first commitment period started in 2008 and ends on December 31, 2012.

Personal experienceIt was a very exciting and a worthwhile experience to participate in such a large conference. Around 17.000 official delegates, ministers, observers, journalists, etc. was gathered in Doha during the conference.

I also participated in many side-events which normally is being organized either by organizations or Ministries. Here you can go more in depth with details on specific topics related to climate change. Vice-Premier Jens B. Frederiksen and the delegation of Greenland also participated in both the COP 18 and the side-event ”Arctic climate change – rapid change and global consequences”, which the Swedish chairmanship of the Arctic Council organized.

The visibility of the OCTs was highlighted when appropriate and this was also a good opportunity to liaise with other stakeholders and inform about OCTAs priorities on green growth, climate change and those challenges and opportunities that the OCTs are dealing with.

The participation in the conference was entirely funded through the European Commission TCF pipeline, and has been arranged between ExCo and EuropeAid/DEVCO from the Commission.

What is climate change?The “man-made” greenhouse effect is cause by the addition of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide/CO2, which are emitted when fossil fuels, such as petroleum, coal and natural gas are burned. This enhancement and increase of the greenhouse gases will create a “blanket” that in the end will keep the Earth increasingly warmer. In the past few decades, the increasing fluctuations in the weather patterns have led to recognition of the need for international action.

In the middle Climate and Energy Minister Martin Lidegaard and Jens B. Frederiksen

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 12

NAP-NEWS

Saturday the 24th November 2012, the employees from the Greenland Representation turned up in the legendary Waterloo south of Brussels, where Napoleon nearly 200 years ago found himself defeated in the Belgian battlefield.

The atmosphere that day was far less belligerent than that June day in 1815, as the air was not heavy with gunpowder, but heavy with the smell of “æbleskiver” (small cakes of batter) and Christmas mulled wine.

Many happy people had found their way to the Scandinavian School in Waterloo, which the last few years has housed the annual Danish Christmas market.Here one could find everything a Christmas heart desires: Christmas decorations and Advent wreaths, candles and Christmas treats, herring and rolled sausages, roasted pork and red cabbage, pudding rice and cherry sauce and many, many other delicacies. And all of it imported directly from Denmark.

In the main building, the most Christmas-hungry could take advantage of the enormous Christmas buffet, with everything from the traditional Danish Christmas table. If the Christmas dinner didn’t tempt there was the opportunity to satisfy the hunger with a hot dog in one of the established hot dog stands.

Bookworms filled the bags with Danish and English literature in the bookstall, while others bought tickets for the tombola or slipped past the candy corner with Piratos, Matador Mix and chocolate turtles.

Many left the market in high Christmas spirit and will look forward to the next Danish Christmas market in Waterloo.

Christmas Market in Waterloo

Last ExCo and tripartite meeting in 2012

The last meeting of the OCT Board Executive Committee (ExCo) was held on 10th December 2012 at Greenland Representation. The meeting was furthermore the first time the ExCo members could get acquainted with the personal who will be dealing with and working for OCTA the next couple of years, namely the newly established OCTA

Bureau. The Christmas spirit was beginning to unfold at this years last meeting. Therefore, a Danish/Greenlandic christmas lunch was served with christmas duck and ‘ris á la mande’. And of course, including a little ‘ris á la manda’ gift.

Later the same day, it was also time for the last tripartite meeting between the Commission, the OCTs and the Member States. At the meeting the head of the OCT Task Force, Theo Saramandis, informed, that he had been happy for the invitation to a reception hosted by the British government as well as a lunch briefing at Greenland Representation with Finance Minister Maliina Abelsen held on 27th November 2012. He was pleased with the events and the initiatives and thought it could be benefical to meet the relevant ministers and partners.

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 13

NAP-NEWS

Pierre B BERTHELOT, Coordinator, Trade & Regional Integration

A Mauritian national, Pierre Berthelot’s career has spanned development banking, journalism as well as trade, agriculture and enterprise development. He has spent some ten years of his career as a member of staff of well-known organisations such as the OECD, the African Development Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat. As Deputy Director at the Commonwealth Secretariat, he was task manager for Trade and Enterprise Development projects, with a special focus on small island States. He came to Brussels in 2004 to manage an EU-funded programme to support the integration of ACP States in the multilateral trading system (ACP MTS I Programme). Before joining OCTA as TL/Coordinator, Pierre headed the Coordination Unit of a 45M Euros intra-ACP commodities programme implemented by five international organisations. Within the OCTA Bureau, his portfolio will include Trade, Regional Integration and Financial Services. Pierre is fully bilingual (English and French) and holds a Master of Economics from the University of New England (Australia).

Hugues LEGROS, Research & Education

Doctor in African History, Hugues Legros, a Belgian national, has a professional experience of more than 15 years in the field of higher education and international development. After six years as a researcher and lecturer in Social Sciences, all his professional life was focused on international cooperation management, as an Economist for the UNDP in Burkina Faso and for the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) -- the Official Belgian Agency for aid implementation -- where he successively occupied the positions of Resident Representative in Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and finally, Morroco. From 2008 to 2012, he was the Secretary General of the Belgian institution managing international aid in the field of Higher Education and Scientific Research: the High Education Cooperation for Development (CUD). At this position, he was responsible for making the policies and strategies of the institution, and was also in charge of the relations with other international aid agencies and especially with the European Commission which finances many research projects implemented by the CUD. Within the OCTA Bureau, his portfolio will include capacity building, education, research and innovation.

Fanny Leclaire, Communication & Assistant Coordinator

Her origins from Guadeloupe and Cameroon, led Fanny to study Human Sciences (she has a Master Degree in Political Sciences and a Master Degree in Ethnology). In 2006, during almost 2 years she worked as Field Coordinator for an international Fair trade and Organic exporting company. At the end of 2007, Fanny joined the Committee of linkage for Europe Africa Caribbean and Pacific (COLEACP, in Brussels) and its Pesticides Initiative Programme (PIP), supporting Private sector to meet EU standards. For 3 years she worked as an analyst and training assistant; collaborating also with the well-known Faculty of Agronomical Sciences of Gembloux (Belgium) to develop pedagogical tools and tailor made trainings. Before joining OCTA Bureau as Communication and Visibility expert, Fanny was Country Assistant for EDES-COLEACP Programme, strengthening Food Safety systems; within the Training Unit she organized international workshops and conferences as well as tailor made trainings in 15 French, English and Spanish speaking countries. Her portfolio will include internal/external communication, website updating and OCTA annual Forum.

OCTA Bureau Experts

Welcome!

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 14

NAP-NEWS

The European Parliament formed Thursday the 6th of December 2012 the setting to host a seminar entitled: "Would a trade ban improve Polar Bear Conservation?"

The seminar was organized by EBCD in cooperation with MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, who is co-chair of the EP Intergroup on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development. The purpose was to exchange opinions and information that will become part of the foundation for a recommendation by the EU, whether polar bears should be removed from its current placement in CITES Appendix II to Appendix I.

At the seminar, head of office at the Department of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture, Amalie Jessen, presented Greenland’s management of its polar bear populations. The hunting of polar bears in Greenland is controlled by quotas set by scientific advice. The hunt is under controlled conditions and is a big part of Greenlandic culture. Greenland does not believe that polar bears will qualify for a listing in Appendix I.

After the presentations the audience had the opportunity to ask questions to the panel and discuss the subject. It appeared from the discussion that there is still some controversy about whether polar bears should be listed in Appendix I. The USA is for an uplisting and Greenland and Canada are against. The conclusion was, however, a broad consensus on that decisions about polar bears should be taken from a scientific basis and not on emotions.

What is CITES?

• CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endagered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between states

• Its purpose is to ensure that international trade in products of wild animals and plants does not threaten the species' existence

• Appendix I, II and III are lists of species that are protected against over-exploitation with different levels or types of protection

o Appendix I lists species that are most endangered

o Appendix II lists species are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but could be endangered without controlled trade

o Appendix III lists species which requires cooperation with other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.

Polar Bears in the European Parliament

Administration of polar bears in Greenland

• Quota system established by scientific assessment and traditional knowledge etc.

• Permits for the hunting of polar bears are issued only to professional hunters

• Female bears with cubs are fully protected• Restrictions on hunting methods• Regular reporting and control• Greenland has since 2008 had a voluntary

trade ban on the export of polar bear products

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 15

NAP-NEWS

Head of unit at the Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture, Helga Jakobsen participated in early December 2012 in the Aquaculture Conference in Guadeloupe in the

Caribbean, with about 180 other participants.

Manufacturers, professional associations such as: ADOA, ARDA, AQUAMAY, ADEPAM, AAG, SYPAGUA and SFAM and research centers such as IFREMER, CIRAD, UAG, CINVESTAV, University of Canarias, administration staff from different countries, local politicians, consulates and representatives from the whole food chain

participated in the 4 days, that the conference lasted. NAP-NEWS has this context, asked Helga Jakobsen about her experiences from the conference.

"Most countries around the Caribbean lectured about their projects in aquaculture. It was, among other things, stressed that fish production through aquaculture, actually helps to reduce over-fishing in different seas.

Most lectures were held in French, which was then translated into English. Obviously it was a little difficult sometimes to follow the debate, when the translators could not keep up.

I learned something about "the chicken of the sea", the fish species Tilapia (picture), which should be very adaptable and easy to produce in fenced areas including in the sea. I learned a little about aquaponics, where you exploit fish droppings to grow herbs and vegetables, that you can harvest once a month.

I must say, however, that the most of the conference focused on aquaculture in the tropics, as we here in Greenland can not relate so much to. However, there was one lecturer from Newfoundland in Canada, who spoke about the farming of giant scallops (they were the size of a big man's hand).

The conference was inspiring and I got a lot of new information about the various forms of aquaculture and got a little insight into various issues in aquaculture production. All in all, it was a very rewarding experience! " Helga Jakobsen concluded.

Aquaculture Conference 2012 in Guadeloupethis article is a contribution from Helga Jakobsen

Participants:

From the French overseas territories: New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French Guiana, Reunion, Mayotte, Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Also participants from Micronesia and Canary Islands.

From the Caribbean: Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, San Marteen, Montserrat, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Lucia, Virgin Islands, and Aruba.

From other countries: Canada, Greenland, Falkland Islands, Great Britain and France..

Fish species Tilapia, also known as “sea chicken”

Aquaponics, hvor der dyrkes urter og grøntsager

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 16

NAP-NEWS

On the 3rd of December 2012 the EP Intergroup on climate change, biodiversity and sustainable development organized a workshop themed: Marine biodiversity conservation in EU Outermost regions and Overseas Countries and Territories.

As Representative for the Government of Aruba at the EU, I was asked to give a presentation on Aruba’s marine biodiversity conservation efforts as well as on the way in which Aruba would like the European policy regarding this matter to develop. And since the workshop coincided with the presentation of IUCN’s study “How does the EU support marine biodiversity conservation in its Outermost Regions, Overseas Countries and Territories?” I was more than eager to accept the invitation to give a presentation.

With regards to Aruba’s marine biodiversity conservation efforts, I described the three key components of which Aruba’s efforts consist. The first component in Aruba’s marine biodiversity conservation efforts is the development of an education series tailored to 5th and 6th grade students with the aim to spread understanding and respect for Aruba’s ecosystems. The education series is developed by Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Future Society and focusses on water and energy, endangered species, wetlands and coral reefs. The second conservation component is the creation of a marine park and the implementation of a marine protected area. These are part of an effort to reinforce Aruba’s legislative framework and to integrate the environmental policy management.The third and final component of Aruba’s marine biodiversity conservation efforts is the piloting of the certification of beaches through the blue flag certification program. The certification effort is part of a 6 million USD investment in Aruba’s beaches, with the aim to raise

environmental awareness and increase good practices among locals, tourists and beach staff.

However, despite the Government of Aruba’s well intended marine conservation efforts, there’s still one issue plaguing marine biodiversity in Aruba and the Caribbean as a whole and threatening to undue all marine biodiversity conservation efforts: the invasive species of the Lionfish. It’s a problem that has thus far not found a solution and for which various islands in the Caribbean, including Aruba, have resorted to putting the lionfish on the restaurant menu. Unfortunately, turning the lionfish into a dish is not sufficient to eradicate nor to control the further spreading of the lionfish. And the various presentations at the EP intergroup workshop have once again made clear that, aside from the local conservation efforts of OR’s and OCT’s, certain issues such as tackling the invasive lionfish species require additional funding from the EU.

In 2006, the European Commission released a communication on “Halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010 and beyond” recognizing the importance of its overseas biodiversity and the need for its conservation. And in that same communication the European Commission expressed that “Effective action in the biodiversity rich OCT’s is vital to the EU’s credibility in this international arena”. The Government of Aruba could not agree more with these words.

60% of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the EU is made up by EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories. And as demonstrated for example by the new Fisheries Partnership Agreement between Greenland and the EU, the EU directly profits from the immense marine biodiversity in these OR’s and OCT’s. It is therefore not only in the interest of the OR’s and OCT’s, but also in the interest of the EU itself that this marine biodiversity is protected and conserved. And the Government of Aruba believes that a good way for the EU to start its effective action in this arena is by opening up the LIFE+ program to OCT’s and by safeguarding the BEST scheme for the future. After all, there’s only so much lionfish we Arubans can eat.

Marine Biodiversity Conservation from an Aruban perspectiveby Cedrick Tilma

Cedrick Tilma from Aruba

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 17

NAP-NEWSLast Days of the Arctic

A movie with the catching title “Last Days of the Arctic” was showed in Brussels for a large audience Tuesday the 15th of January 2013.

The organisers were UNRIC, who as a part of their event Ciné-ONU screens a movie each month with subjects that relates to specific UN issues.

The movie takes place in Iceland and Greenland and follows the key figure, freelance photographer Ragnar ‘Rax’ Axelsson, on his many trips in the Arctic. Ragnar Axelsson documents with his photographs Arctic lifestyles that because of the climate changes and globalisation is in the state of development and are in danger of getting lost. The photographers great fascination of for instance hunters in North and East Greenland can be read from the pictures, where Ragnar Axelsson has been a part of many hunting trips.

The audience had the chance to ask questions after the movie to the key figure himself, Ragnar Axelsson, Minister Counsellor Lida S. Lennert from the Greenland Representation in Brussels and scholar in Arctic issues Damien Degeorges. Several took advance of the opportunity and ask questions about the Greenlandic hunters’ views on the climate changes, the exploitation of raw materials, reactions to the photographs and the Arctic Council among other things. It was very clear, that there was a great deal of interest to the Arctic and especially Greenland in relation to raw materials.

Further information:http://www.rax.is/Sidur/Last_Days_Page_Flip.html

Pictures from: Jorge M. Varas-Mardones, Graphic CoordinatorUNFIC – United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe

PROFILE: Carsten Sander Hansen

Carsten Sander Hansen graduated as MSc. from Roskilde University (Denmark) in 2010. The studies were completed parallel to working as a political advisor at the European Parliament, where he worked from 2009-2011. In his spare time Carsten enjoys playing handball and squash.

Since 1 July 2011 Carsten has worked at The Permanent Danish EU Representation in Brussels, where he started as a consultant regarding the Danish relations with the European Parliament, during the Danish EU Presidency. The 1 July 2012 he took over the responsibility for Greenlandic conditions after Peter Wilhelm Lund Linde; including questions concerning seals, whales, and general questions about Greenland's relationship with the EU. In addition, he is responsible for all Arctic issues and on this basis has a close cooperation with the Greenland Representation.

Main character in the movie: Ragnar ‘Rax’ Axelsson

Lida S. Lennert with moderator Árni Snævarr

The Panel in front of the attending audience

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 18

NAP-NEWS

The Greenland Representation in Brussels – like other departments in the Self-Government – has in the beginning of January 2013 received thousands of inquiries by e-mail, regarding Greenland’s establishment of quotas on the hunting of whales.

The protest letters called for Greenland to refrain from unauthorized whale hunt. Concerns on the stocks of whales and the international reputation of Greenland and Denmark are highlighted in the letter. Also the increasing commercialization of whale meat and the serving of whale meat in restaurants in Greenland are put forward in the letter, emphasizing that this is in conflict with the IWC’s rules on the exclusivity of whale products to local consumption. For those reasons, the letter requests Greenland to apply at the IWC once again to establish quotas to the previous or to an even lower amount.

From the Self-Government a standard reply has been sent, in which Greenland arguments for the setting described, according to the published press release.

See more information on: http://uk.nanoq.gl/Emner/News/

News_from_Government/2013/01/Whales.aspx

Whales and the IWC

A picture of the inbox showing a small part of the amount of letters received

Whale quotas have previously been provided to the IWC, which jointly process applications. At the annual meeting in 2012 IWC rejected Greenland's application for a quota increase. Member of Naalakkersuisut the Minister for Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture Ane Hansen on behalf of Naalakkersuisut, fixed the whale quotas for the period 2013-2014.

N o . 1 , J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3

! G r e e n l a n d R e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o t h e e u • R u e d ’ A r l o n 7 3 • 1 0 4 0 , B r u s s e l s! 19

NAP-NEWS

Bonjour ChristinaChristina Svarre Nielsen is the new intern at the Greenland Representation. She starts her internship February 1st until the end of July 2013.

Christina is 26 years old and is finishing her law studies at the University of Copenhagen. In addition to her studies, she has worked as a student at the City Secretariat in Copenhagen, employed by the University of Copenhagen as an international adviser for international students, been a volunteer mentor for exchange students and when there is space in the calendar, dance instructor.

Last summer Christina attented a summer school in Paris, where international law was the main theme, as her interests in law is international law and international relations. Besides her studies, she loves to travel the world and at the top of the list of visited places includes New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA, Singapore, Morocco and Hawaii.

In her free time her passion is dance, which unfortunately in recent years there has been little time to engage in, but she still dances ballet and jazz.

Christina is looking forward to a new adventure when she starts at the Representation! She welcome a lot of new and exciting challenges, to acquire a lot of knowledge about Greenland, attending to Greenland's interests in the EU and a lot of relevant experience.

Welcome to Christina!

Christina Svarre Nielsen

Au revoir MaliinaWhen I started working at the Greenland Representation in Brussels in August 2012, I was told that my 6 month in Brussels would go by fast. That has certainly been the case and I enjoyed every minute of the last 6 month!

It has given me a lot of great experiences and I learned a lot. I looked forward going to work every day, and although at times it could be very busy, there has always been time for a funny remark and a laugh. I will definitely miss the talented people at the Greenland Representation.

I am returning to Odense to finish my studies at Syddansk University, before going all the way back home to Greenland.

A great thanks to the people at the office and to everyone I have met – I hope we meet again!

-Maliina

Maliina L. Lyberth