On 21 November 1984, the French National Assembly debates the bill for ratification of the amendment to the Community treaties that grants Greenland ‘overseas country and territory’ status. Right-wing MPs regret the loss of a territory that represents 60 % of the entire surface area of the Communities. It calls on the government to re-open negotiations on the protocol establishing future relations between Greenland and the Communities so as to guarantee Community and Member State access to the future strategic resources of this territory. The socialists approve the bill, invoking the right of peoples to self-determination.

On 20 July 1984, the members of the British House of Commons debate the bill for ratification of the amendment to the Community treaties that provides for Greenland’s withdrawal from the scope of application of the treaties. Discussions focus on the new relations between Greenland and the Communities and particularly on reciprocal rights in the area of fisheries and the absence of a formal procedure for the withdrawal of a territory from the Communities.

On 7 December 1984, the members of the German Bundestag debate Greenland’s withdrawal from the Communities. Discussions focus on fishing rights granted to the Greenland fleet in Community waters and the rights of European fleets in Greenland’s territorial waters. The question of the militarisation of Greenland is also raised, given that the island is home to several US military installations.

At its session on 19 December 1984, the Italian Chamber of Deputies holds a brief debate on Greenland’s withdrawal from the Communities and on the bill for ratification of the amendment to the Community treaties that formalises the details of this withdrawal.