This Wednesday, January 8, following threats from American President-elect Donald Trump to seize Greenland by military means, France and Germany issued firm reproaches, while the European Commission did not directly condemn the remarks. of the Republican.
During an eclectic press conference on Tuesday (January 7), Donald Trump refused to rule out military coercion to consolidate US control over Greenland, after reiterating his interest in “island property”.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which makes Greenlanders citizens of the European Union (EU). The island does in fact part of NATO and any use of military force on its territory by another NATO ally would constitute a historic first.
“State sovereignty must be respected”a Commission spokesperson said on Wednesday in response to the American politician’s remarks.
But when asked to clarify whether the E.U. “waited for the US Marine Corps to land in Greenland” before taking a tougher stance, the spokesperson said there had been numerous threats that had not materialized.
France and Germany, for their part, were more categorical.
“Borders must not be moved by force”a German government spokesperson said on Wednesday.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had consulted several European leaders and European Council President Antonio Costa to reaffirm the inviolability of international law.
“Recent statements from the United States have caused some incomprehension on the part of European partners,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to all countries, whether in the East or the West,” he declared. “This principle cannot and must not be shaken. »
Similarly, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told national radio that the EU would not tolerate American military intervention.
“There is no question of the European Union letting other nations in the world, whoever they are […]attack its sovereign borders »he declared.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for caution overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday. “As a very close ally of the United States, I think there is reason to welcome the growing American interest. But this must be done with respect for the Greenlandic people”she told the Danish media TV2.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede is in Copenhagen this Wednesday to meet Danish King Frederik X, as reported Reuters, even though local media had said on Monday — the day of Donald Trump’s son’s surprise visit to Nuuk, the country’s capital — that the meeting in Denmark had been canceled for scheduling reasons.
Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since the 18th century and has gradually gained autonomy since the end of World War II.
More recently, Múte Egede expressed a desire to lead Greenland towards independence from Denmark. Last week, the Danish royal house announced a new version of the country’s coat of arms, giving the polar bear, the symbol of the Greenlandic nation, a more central position.
Nick Alipour contributed to this article from Berlin.
[Édité par Anna Martino]
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