Denmark Says Greenland Security Talks Must Respect Its Territorial Integrity

COPENHAGEN, January 22 (Reuters) – Denmark and Greenland remain open to constructive dialogue on the security of the Arctic, provided that her country’s territorial integrity is respected, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday.

In his speech in Davos on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump backed off the threat of imposing tariffs on European countries that oppose his desire to take over Greenland and rejected the use of force. He claimed progress was being made on a deal that would end the dispute over the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said Western Arctic allies could strike a deal that would satisfy Trump’s desire for a “Golden Dome” missile defense system to protect the United States and access to minerals while blocking the ambitions of Russia and China.

Frederiksen said NATO was fully aware of Denmark’s position and had been informed that Rutte’s talks did not involve his country’s sovereignty.

In his statement, Frederiksen said, “The security of the Arctic is a matter for the entire NATO alliance. Therefore, it is good and natural for this issue to be discussed between the NATO secretary general and the US president.”

“The Kingdom of Denmark wishes to continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with its allies on how we can strengthen security in the Arctic, including in the Golden Dome of the United States, provided that it is done in the framework of respect for our territorial integrity,” he said.

The United States had thousands of troops in Greenland during the Cold War, but in recent years has radically reduced its military presence on the resource-rich island, which is part of NATO due to Denmark’s membership in the alliance.

The US military maintains a permanent presence at Pituffik air base in northwestern Greenland under a 1951 agreement that also allows the US to build bases provided it notifies Denmark and Greenland.

The island enjoys broad autonomy from Denmark, but this does not extend to foreign affairs and defense unless agreed. Since 2009, it has had the right to declare independence after holding a referendum and receiving approval from the Danish parliament.

“… Of course, it is only Denmark and Greenland that can reach an agreement on issues related to Denmark and Greenland,” Frederiksen said.

Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said nothing could be decided without Greenland’s participation.

“NATO has no authority whatsoever to negotiate anything from Greenland without us,” he said.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik and Essi Lehto; writing by Stine Jacobsen and Niklas Pollard; editing by Sharon Singleton)