Updated with interview with Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Greenland feels continued massive pressure on the country, says chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), at a press conference in Katuaq for international media.
- The support of our allies is crucial in this situation. Our goal and desire is to continue a peaceful dialogue, he says, among other things.
In addition, he repeats that Greenland chooses the Kingdom:
- I'll say it again. Greenland chooses the Greenland we know today as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
- We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU. We choose NATO, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
- Imagine that someone wants to take your freedom
The chairman of Naalakkersuisut is asked if Greenland is safe now.
Here, Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that until yesterday it could not be ruled out that the US would take Greenland by force, and that it is a demand from Greenland that future talks must take place in respect of Greenland's sovereignty.
- It is very difficult when you hear threats every night about being acquired or taken. Until yesterday, we couldn't rule anything out.
- Imagine being a Greenlander, a peaceful people, who every day see in the media that someone wants to take your freedom, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
What has Rutte agreed
Jens-Frederik Nielsen is also asked several times about the announcements that Donald Trump made on Wednesday evening that a framework agreement had been concluded on Greenland.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that he does not know what is in the agreement that Trump is talking about, and then he emphasizes, like Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte cannot negotiate with Trump on behalf of Denmark and Greenland.
- Representatives of Denmark and Greenland spoke to Rutte a few days ago. We are ready to discuss a lot of things, but sovereignty is a red line, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Cooperation on raw materials
After the press conference, Sermitsiaq asks Jens-Frederik Nielsen what he thinks about Mark Rutte having spoken to Donald Trump about Greenland without him or others from Naalakkersuisut being present.
- I want to put it this way, of course it can't be done no agreements or negotiations are conducted about Greenland - or for that matter the fault of the Kingdom of Denmark – without Greenland and without the Kingdom of Denmark.
- What I am told has been discussed at the meeting is what we all agree on.
- We are ready to do a little more in the NATO framework. That is what has been affected.
- I have not received any information that there should be discussed anything about a trade in raw materials, mineral deals and everything the second, he says and continues:
- We are ready to talk about respectful and good cooperation – also in relation to our raw materials. We are ready to cooperate more. We are also ready to do more, but of course it must be included respect for our red lines. With respect to our legislation. With respect for our people and our culture.
What should the working group do?
Jens-Frederik Nielsen referred several times at the press conference to the working group between the USA, Greenland and Denmark, which was agreed upon at a meeting between naalakkersuisoq for foreign affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt (S), Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and Vice President J.D. Vance.
But Greenland and the USA already have several bilateral collaborations, including through joint and permanent committees. So what is this working group really going to discuss?
- Well, I think first of all it will be one discussion about our general cooperation. We have said from the beginning Greenland, that we are ready to discuss everything, but we have some red lines there inviolable: Sovereignty. Demarcations. This is a red line for us.
- But partnerships – also in relation to more military presence, more sovereignty enforcement and more economic and trade relations – we are ready to discuss that. In a respectful tone, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen to Sermitsiaq.
