Mute B. Egede, Greenland’s prime minister, said Friday that people in his mineral-rich Arctic territory don’t want to be Americans, but he also said he understands U.S. interest in the island. given its strategic location, and that it is open to the idea of greater cooperation with the United States.
The comments came after US President-elect Donald Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out using force or economic pressure to make Greenland, an autonomous territory that belongs to Denmark, part of the United States. Mr. Trump has said it is a matter of national security.
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The Danish inspection vessel P571 Knud Rasmussen is pictured rescuing a ship stuck in the ice. Since 2006, many boats have ventured, sometimes without announcing themselves, into Greenland waters.
Photo: Kim Moller Petersen/Danish Armed Forces/via REUTERS
Mr. Egede acknowledged that Greenland is part of the North American continent and is a place that Americans consider part of their world
. He said he had not spoken to Donald Trump but was open to discussions about what unites us
.
Cooperation is a question of dialogue. Cooperation means you will work on solutions
he recalled.
Prime Minister Egede has called for Greenland’s independence, portraying Denmark as a colonial power that has not always treated the indigenous Inuit population well.
Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people. We don’t want to be Danish, we don’t want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic
he said during a press conference alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Concern in Europe
The US president-elect’s desire to possess Greenland has sparked concern in Denmark as well as the rest of Europe.
The United States is a strong ally of the nations of the European Union and the largest member of NATO, and many Europeans were shocked that a new American leader would even consider using force against a ally.
However, Ms. Frederiksen assured that she sees a positive aspect in the discussion.
The debate on Greenlandic independence and the latest announcements from the United States show us great interest in Greenland
she said. These events have raised many thoughts and feelings among many people in Greenland and Denmark.
The United States is our closest ally and we will do everything to continue strong cooperation.
Ms. Frederiksen and Mr. Egede spoke to reporters after a biannual meeting of Denmark and two territories of its kingdom, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This meeting was scheduled in advance and was not called in response to Mr. Trump’s recent remarks.
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“According to the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Greenland has many diverse mineral resources, including copper, gold, lead, precious stones, rare earth metals, uranium and zinc,” indicates the Canadian government website.
Photo : Greenland Mineral
Flavored communication operation MAGA
The Republican leader’s eldest son also traveled to Greenland on Tuesday, landing on a plane stamped with the words ” Trump » and distributing caps « Make America Great Again » to the residents.
Greenland’s population is only 57,000, but it is a vast territory rich in varied natural resources, including oil, gas and rare earths, which are expected to become more accessible as the ice melts due to change climatic.
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Donald Trump Jr. had his photo taken in front of a statue of historic Danish missionary Hans Egede when he arrived in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, for a private visit, he said.
Photo : Getty Images / EMIL STACH/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP
Greenland also occupies a key strategic position in the Arctic, where Russia, China and other countries are seeking to expand their hold.
Greenland is an autonomous territory ruled by Denmark, but it is closer to the North American continent than to Denmark. While Copenhagen is responsible for Greenland’s foreign affairs and defense, the United States also shares responsibility for Greenland’s defense and has an air base there under a 1951 treaty.
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