Statement by the President of the Republic on the Current Political and Military Situation Related to Greenland

“In view of current political and even military claims towards Greenland, an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, I emphasize that it is solely up to the Greenlanders to decide about Greenland and its future in accordance with the right to self-determination as granted to them by the laws of the Kingdom of Denmark. There is no security reason that can override this right of the people of Greenland.

I am confident that all security-related concerns, which have been discussed recently, can and must be resolved through dialogue and cooperation between Denmark and Greenland with the USA and within the framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, of which both countries are equal members. Security issues are in no way related to Greenland’s international legal position. This is evidenced by the situation during the Cold War, when the USA successfully protected its national interests and defended its own security and the security of the entire NATO by stationing its army in Greenland in agreement with the Danish authorities. Only such a model, namely an agreement between Denmark and the USA with respect for the will of the people of Greenland, is an acceptable solution to this situation”.