Meanwhile, a constitution-writing process has begun in Nuuk and moves have been made to dispatch diplomats from Nuuk to foreign capitals. In January, the ruling party, Inuit Ataqatigiit, confirmed that Greenland’s independence from Denmark remain its main political objective. Shortly after that, elections were called for March 12. No wonder outside observers are confused.

But Greenland is not about to claim independence any time soon. It took 30 years to go from home rule to self rule. Ask any politician in Nuuk when independence should come — as we have done repeatedly — and the answer will be vague, long and hinting at perhaps 40 to 50 years from now. Independence is a vision cherished for centuries, but opinions differ, and for the majority in Greenland there are more pressing issues. Poverty, health and education, to name a few.

Also, independence for many people in Greenland does not encompass severing practical and social links to Denmark. Most families in Greenland have close family ties to Denmark. Ten percent of the population lives in Denmark; they study, work or are being treated at hospitals there for free. Three centuries of trade, intermarriage and royal visits go a long way.

The real question for many today is really how to square formal independence with a continuation of these bonds. When on rare occasions the details of independence are discussed, the focus is on sovereignty, the ability to run one’s own foreign policy and the right to speak without restraints, but not on disconnecting the real-life links to Denmark.

Greenland recognizes the stability provided by Denmark’s status as a trusted member of the international community, by its solid economy and its Navy, which provides for protection of Greenland’s sovereignty, fisheries control and for search-and-rescue operations in the vast territory. Such is reality: complex, unwritten and confusing.

How, when and on what legal basis any future arrangement between Greenland and Denmark may eventually be shaped is really anybody’s guess. There is plenty of time to think of something clever.

The strength of the present arrangement is that it allows for fluid transformations to both nations’ mutual benefit. Day-to-day operations are often spiced with difficulties — Denmark and Greenland are currently quarrelling over possible uranium mining and a potential influx of perhaps 3,000 Chinese workers.