Rome, Jan 6 (EFE).- The governments of Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and Denmark on Tuesday defended Greenland’s sovereignty in the face of the United States’ desire to annex it.
In a joint statement, the leaders of these countries described the security of the Arctic region as “a key priority” for Europe.
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” read the statement released by the Italian government.
The statement was endorsed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
The joint statement comes amid threats from United States President Donald Trump to take over the island in the Arctic region citing national security reasons.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security,” the European leaders underlined.
“NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO,” the statement further said.
The seven countries determined that security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively, in coordination with NATO allies, including the US, respecting the principles of the United Nations Charter.
These principles included “sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.”
“The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951,” the statement said. EFE
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