Oslo, Jan 23 (IANS) Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that sovereignty remains a red line for his government, even amid intense pressure from the United States.
“Our territorial integrity and borders are absolutely red lines that must not be crossed,” Nielsen, on Thursday told a press conference in Nuuk, capital of Greenland. “Greenland chooses the Greenland we know today, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had ruled out using military force to acquire Greenland, claiming his talks with NATO Secretary General Mark had produced “the framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region, Xinhua news agency reported.
However, Nielsen said that he does not know the specific details of this framework. He stressed that no one other than Greenland and Denmark can make agreements concerning Greenland and Denmark.
When questioned whether Greenland now considers itself safe, Nielsen said that, prior to Wednesday’s statement by Trump, the possibility of a US military attempt could not be dismissed.
He stressed that Greenland demands future talks be conducted with full respect for its sovereignty.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump told Fox Business that the White House is negotiating a deal to secure US “total access” to Denmark’s Greenland with no time limit.
Trump said the deal was still being negotiated when he was asked repeatedly for details Thursday on Air Force on his way back from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“The time limit is infinity, meaning there is no time limit. It’s forever. You know, you’re about 99 years, 50 years. It’s forever. That was discussed,” Trump told reporters. “We can do anything we want. We can do military, we can do anything we want, and it’s being negotiated. And let’s see what happens. I think it’ll be good.”
When asked whether Denmark is on board with the plan, Trump said “I think everyone likes it. I mean, I think, I’ll let you know in about two weeks.”
–IANS
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