Jun 22, 2009, 11:08 GMT
Greenland has taken another step towards independence.
The Scandinavian country - which has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark for 300 years - was given control of its own judicial affairs, policing and natural resources in a historic ceremony yesterday (21.06.09).
Denmark's Queen Margrethe and her husband Prince Henrik - both dressed in traditional Inuit costume - presented Greenland's leaders with a decree setting out the government's new powers.
Thousands of local gathered at the port of Nuuk for the service, which also saw the country's official language changed from Danish to Greenlandic.
Greenland's Prime Minister Kuupik Kleist addressed the joyous crowd, saying: "This morning we awoke with new hope in our heart.
"From today we are starting a new era in the history of our country, a new era full of hope and possibilities."
After the ceremony, Kleist spoke about the next step from self rule to independence.
He said: "We will be independent I'm sure, if the people want it. But it's not on the agenda of my government for the next four years."
Danish premier Lars Loekke Rasmussen said he hoped Greenland would choose to stay a part of Denmark.
"The question of independence is not an issue today, but it's totally up to Greenlandic people themselves to decide whether they wish to be a part of the Danish kingdom or whether they wish to establish an independent state."
Your Talkback on this Story