Member of Parliament for Inuit Ataqatigiit, Aaja Chemnitz, runs from one meeting to the next at Christiansborg. But in between meetings, she takes time to talk to Sermitsiaq, who asks if she has spoken to Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen about the latest statements in light of the meeting between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US President Donald Trump in Davos.
– Yes, I have just spoken to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but I cannot say what we talked about. Sometimes you are burdened by knowledge, but knowledge can also help to calm you down. You have to have trust in us decision-makers, and I feel that we are in a situation where we have to see the bigger picture.
- There is a "here-and-now situation" and then there is a future where there may be Chinese sea routes around Greenland or investments in Greenland. So it is important for us politicians not only to see how things look now, but in a longer perspective, she says.
Threats are off the table.
Regarding Trump's speech yesterday in Davos, Aaja Chemnitz says that it is generally positive that several of the threats against Greenland have now been taken off the table.
– In general, I would say that it is positive that the threat of military takeover and the trade war have been taken off the table. But it is still important to be aware of the feelings that many in Greenland have.
- How can we help create the security that people need? I am very positive that people have been so incredibly good at preparing. We are in a good place, but in a very intense period that looks like it will continue for a while.
– Involving Greenland is key
– I think it's good that there is a political dialogue now, and that both the government and the Greenland Government have done a fantastic job. We have stuck to "nothing about us without us", and that is still the position that the Greenland Government has.
– The involvement of Greenland is absolutely central in all issues related to Greenland, including the mineral issue for which Naalakkersuisut is responsible. Greenland's future is determined by us.
- On the issue of strengthening the defense in the Arctic, it is important - also within NATO - to raise the security task to a higher level, says Aaja Chemnitz and adds that she has no doubt that Chairman of the Greenlandic Government Jens-Frederik Nielsen will do his part to reassure the population when he holds a press conference at 2:00 p.m. today.
