A security agreement between Denmark, the United States and Greenland, announced on Friday 18 September, would, according to Washington, give it control over Greenland’s security. The date of the signing of the agreement is not yet known, but it could take place this week, during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed “an agreement that at the same time recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom as well as the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination”. While visiting Saint Pierre and Miquelon, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the announcement. “I note (...) that international law is being respected, and that this is what we were asking for”. At this stage, the leaders of the European Union institutions have not reacted to the announcement.
It comes as several Members of the European Parliament from the Committee on Transport and Tourism are in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, from 21 to 24 September.
Their visit is to focus on transport links and tourism development, two themes also mentioned by Ursula von der Leyen during her visit (see EUROPE 13932/1).
A European team of civil protection experts is also due to travel to Greenland to strengthen preparedness and response to emergency situations. This mission was requested by Nuuk and Denmark under the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
“This mission aims to build on Greenlandic resilience, bring together our expertise and learn together how to better support preparedness for emergency situations”, said Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib. (Original version in French by Louis Dubar)