Member of the Danish Parliament for Inuit Ataqatigiit, Aaja Chemnitz, runs from one meeting to another at Christiansborg. But in between the meetings, she takes time to talk to Sermitsiaq, who asks if she has spoken to Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen about the latest announcements based on 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 burden you. You have to have confidence in us decision makers and I feel we are in one 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 a 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 insanely good at prepping. We are in a good place, but in a very intense period which looks set to continue for a while.
- Involvement of Greenland is central
- I think it is good that there is a political dialogue now, and that both the government and Naalakkersuisut have done fantastically. We have stuck to "nothing about us without us" and this is still the attitude of Naalakkersuisut.
- The involvement of Greenland is absolutely central in all issues that have to do with Greenland, including the mineral issue for which Naalakkersuisut is responsible. Greenland's future is decided by us.
- On the issue of strengthening the defense in the Arctic, it is important - also under NATO auspices - to raise the security task to a greater extent, says Aaja Chemnitz and adds that she has no doubt that chairman of Naalakkersuisut Jens-Frederik Nielsen will do his part to reassure the population when he Press conference at 14.00 today.
