High Commissioner of Greenland was established as an institution under the office of the Prime Minister after the attainment of
Home Rule in 1979. The
High Commissioner acts as the channel of communication between the Danish Authorities and the Authorities of the Home Rule. The institution is the official representative of the Danish Government ruling in Greenland. The
Danish-Greenlandic Cultural Foundation is an organization where the
High Commissioner is an ex-officio member.
The participation of the
High Commissioner of Greenland in negotiations can be furthered by the Home Rule Government. Moreover, the
High Commissioner should be informed about every sort of legislation adopted by either the Parliament, Landsting or the Home Rule Authorities themselves.
The
High Commissioner of Greenland is responsible for reporting the occurrences in the
Home Rule Government to the Prime Minister as well as to the particular ministries concerned. All matters relating to
family law are under the
High Commissioner's office. The
High Commissioner arranges for the visits of the Royal Family, the
Danish Parliament and the
Danish Government to Greenland. It is also compulsory to be present in all the meetings. The permits issued to Danish citizens to pass through the
Thule Air Base is done by the office of the
High Commissioner of Greenland.
Elections to the
Danish Parliament as well as other important elections are conducted by the
High Commissioner. The recommendations for various medals and merits of honor are also another responsibility.
If the decisions taken by the National Register are charged against, the
High Commissioner has to take the responsibility of solving the problem.
The post of the
High Commissioner had been occupied by the following persons since its inception:
- Torben Hede Pedersen (1979-1992)
- Steen Spore (1992-1995)
- Gunnar Martens (1995-2002)
- Peter Lauritzen (2002-2005)
- Soren Hald Moller (2005 onwards)
