The press conference is now underway about the meeting between Greenland, Denmark and the USA in progress.
Naalakkersuisoq for foreign affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt (S), and the Danish foreign minister, Lars Løkke (Moderates), talk about the meeting.
- The Kingdom of Denmark has already increased its own contribution. Ships, drones, fighter jets etc. – we are clearly ready to do more, says Lars Løkke about the protection of the Arctic, which he says the meeting was about.
He says that the US still wants to own Greenland.
- We therefore continue to have a fundamental disagreement, and we have agreed to disagree. But we have also agreed to continue the dialogue.
They agree to set up a so-called high-level group to try to clarify the issues. The group must meet within a few weeks.
Will try to accommodate the president
Vivian Motzfeldt says that the meeting was based on mutual respect.
- Dear compatriots, I know that you are all with me, and although it has been an exciting day for all of us, I can say that the meeting was good. The discussions were based on mutual respect.
We agree that we must be forward-looking in our future activities, she says in Greenlandic.
They are trying to see if it is possible to accommodate the president's concerns, while the Kingdom's borders are respected, says Lars Løkke.
He also says that it is definitely not necessary for the US to own Greenland.
- I think it is important to say it again, how important it is to strengthen our cooperation with the USA, but this does not mean that we want to be like the USA, but as allies it is important to strengthen our alliances, says Vivian Motzfeldt.
Has challenged the American narrative
- We have had the opportunity to challenge narratives from it American president, says Lars Løkke, who says that they have informed the Americans that it is not filled with Russian and Chinese warships Greenland.
According to him, there has not been a Chinese warship in Greenland for more than a decade, citing Danish intelligence.
Couldn't change the American attitude
Lars Løkke says that it has not been possible to change the American attitude, but he did not expect that either.
- I'm not saying that everything is solved. It isn't. We didn't succeed in changing the American attitude, but I didn't expect that either. It is clear that the president has a desire to conquer Greenland, he says, but states that it is neither the Danish nor the Greenlandic desire.
- The meeting has been respectful, and we have shown where our limits are is, and from there I think it is important to look forward, says Vivian Motzfeldt. She will not go into detail about what they have discussed in a closed meeting room.
Denmark and Greenland are integrated and have been for a century, says Lars Løkke.
The press conference is over.
