The heads of Greenland’s political parties have condemned US President Donald Trump’s declaration regarding the takeover of the Danish autonomous region.
“We — all party leaders — cannot accept the ongoing remarks about the annexation and control of Greenland,” the leaders of the territory’s five parliamentary parties stated in a collective announcement following an urgent meeting.
“As party leaders, we consider this behavior unacceptable towards friends and allies within a defense alliance,” they remarked in the statement shared on Facebook.
They further stressed that they “must highlight that Greenland remains committed to the initiatives already in progress through diplomatic avenues in accordance with international laws and regulations.”
When asked by reporters about the prospect of taking control of the island, Mr. Trump stated: “I think it will happen.”
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte — who was meeting him at the White House at the time — declined to comment further.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede reacted by stating, “enough is enough.”
“This time we need to strengthen our rejection of Trump. People cannot keep disrespecting us,” he posted on Facebook.
Mr. Egede continues to serve as Greenland’s leader while awaiting the establishment of a new government following his party’s defeat in the elections on Tuesday.
“The American president has once again raised the notion of annexing us. I categorically cannot accept that,” he added, indicating that he would arrange a meeting with the leaders of the territory’s parties.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen also responded to President Trump’s recent comments, asserting that the island cannot be claimed by another country.
“When considering the NATO treaty, the UN charter, or international law, Greenland is not available for annexation,” Mr. Lokke informed reporters.
“I see no signs in the Greenland elections that the populace desires to leave the kingdom to become Americans.”
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the centre-right Democrats who won the recent elections in Greenland and is likely to become the next prime minister, also criticized Mr. Trump’s remarks.
“Trump’s comments from the U.S. are inappropriate and serve to reiterate the importance of unity in such situations,” Mr. Nielsen stated in a Facebook post.
Why is Donald Trump so interested in Greenland?
During his initial term as US president, President Trump had proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland from Denmark — a suggestion that was rejected by both Copenhagen and the Greenlandic people.
Since resuming power this year, he has intensified his pursuit of acquiring the territory, albeit in more confrontational language.
Mr. Trump argues that the US needs to possess Greenland for its own security.
Polls indicate that a majority of the island’s residents favor independence from Denmark, yet not annexation by the United States.
