Referendum brings Greenland closer to independence

In freezing weather in the middle of the polar night, Greenland overwhelmingly voted for self-governance from Denmark in a referendum on, taking a big step toward eventual independence.

The vote was 75 per cent in favour of self-governance, while 23.6 per cent voted no, Greenland officials said. Turnout in the island, mostly shrouded in 24-hour darkness at this time of year, was 72 per cent of about 39,000 eligible voters.

"I'm extremely moved, because now we will be recognised as a nation," Prime Minister Hans Enoksen said in a statement.

"Our forefathers are in my thoughts on this historic day. Tears of joy are running down my cheeks."

The Arctic island has had home rule since 1979 but under the new law it will control of its mineral and oil resources and eventually take charge of 32 additional fields of responsibility from Denmark, including justice and legal affairs, as it becomes economically viable to do so.

Greenlandic will become the official language, but it will still be part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Full independence will require another referendum, which likely will not be held until Greenland is ready to live without financial aid from Denmark.

The islanders control their own fate as Denmark has said Greenlanders alone must decide when to cut final ties between the two countries after nearly 300 years of Danish rule.