Greenland's independence a matter of when, not if

Independence has been the focus of campaigning ahead of Greenland's legislative elections on March 11, a prospect foreseen by the Danish Constitution with legislation already in place outlining how to make it happen.

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All of Greenland's main political parties back independence, so debate has largely centered on when - not if - to cut ties with Denmark.

The road map is already laid out. Article 19 of Denmark's Constitution authorizes the Danish government to cede part of its territory as long as Parliament approves.

"The general understanding is that it would be possible to give away part of the country, or for Greenland to become independent, without a constitutional amendment and without changing the Danish Constitution," Professor Frederik Waage of the University of Southern Denmark told AFP.

Greenland's 2009 self-rule law "establishes basically a road map for independence", he said.

Its Article 21 states that a "decision regarding Greenland's independence shall be taken by the people of Greenland".

Talks should then be held between the Danish and Greenlandic governments to reach an agreement, it says.

That accord must then be approved by the Greenlandic Parliament, endorsed by a referendum on the island and concluded with the consent of the Danish Parliament.