Greenlandic European Economic Community membership referendum, 1982
Encyclopedia
The Greenlandic European Economic Community membership referendum, 1982 was a consultative referendum
over whether Greenland
should continue to be a member of the European Economic Community
which took place on 23 February 1982.
Greenland
joined the European Communities
in 1973 when Denmark
joined, even though a majority of 70% of the Greenlandic votes had been against membership in the Danish EC referendum held in 1972
. In the spring of 1981, after the Greenlandic home-rule had been established in 1979 and the eurosceptic
Siumut won the 1979 election, the Parliament of Greenland
agreed to holding a consultative referendum on the continued membership. As a result of the referendum Greenland voted to leave the Union. Greenland did however negotiate an agreement by which the EU kept its fishing rights. Greenland continues to be considered one of the Overseas Countries and Territories which enjoy association arrangements with the EU.
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
over whether Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
should continue to be a member of the European Economic Community
European Economic Community
The European Economic Community The European Economic Community (EEC) The European Economic Community (EEC) (also known as the Common Market in the English-speaking world, renamed the European Community (EC) in 1993The information in this article primarily covers the EEC's time as an independent...
which took place on 23 February 1982.
Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
joined the European Communities
European Communities
The European Communities were three international organisations that were governed by the same set of institutions...
in 1973 when Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
joined, even though a majority of 70% of the Greenlandic votes had been against membership in the Danish EC referendum held in 1972
Danish European Communities membership referendum, 1972
A referendum on joining the European Economic Community was held in Denmark on 2 October 1972. The result was 63.3% in favour with a turnout of 90.1%...
. In the spring of 1981, after the Greenlandic home-rule had been established in 1979 and the eurosceptic
Euroscepticism
Euroscepticism is a general term used to describe criticism of the European Union , and opposition to the process of European integration, existing throughout the political spectrum. Traditionally, the main source of euroscepticism has been the notion that integration weakens the nation state...
Siumut won the 1979 election, the Parliament of Greenland
Parliament of Greenland
The Parliament of Greenland is the legislature in the government of Greenland, an autonomous province of Denmark. The government of Greenland is also called Home Rule of Greenland. 16 seats are needed for a majority....
agreed to holding a consultative referendum on the continued membership. As a result of the referendum Greenland voted to leave the Union. Greenland did however negotiate an agreement by which the EU kept its fishing rights. Greenland continues to be considered one of the Overseas Countries and Territories which enjoy association arrangements with the EU.