Updated with interview with Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Greenland continues to feel massive pressure against the country, says Chairman of the Greenland Government, 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 reiterates that Greenland chooses the Kingdom:
- I will 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 someone wants to take your freedom.
The President of the Greenlandic Government is asked whether 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's 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 sees in the media every day that someone wants to take your freedom, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
What has Rutte agreed to?
Jens-Frederik Nielsen is also asked several times about the statements that Donald Trump made on Wednesday evening that a framework agreement had been reached 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 with 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 with Donald Trump about Greenland without him or anyone from Naalakkersuisut being present.
- I would like to put it this way: of course, no agreements can be made or negotiations can be held about Greenland – or for that matter the Kingdom of Denmark – without Greenland and without the Kingdom of Denmark.
- What I am told was 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 touched upon.
- I have not received any information that there was any discussion whatsoever about a trade in raw materials, mineral agreements and everything else, 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 with respect for our red lines. With respect for our legislation. With respect for our people and our culture.
What does the working group need to do?
Jens-Frederik Nielsen referred several times at the press conference to the working group between the United States, 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 US already have several bilateral collaborations, including through joint and permanent committees. So what should this working group actually discuss?
- Well, I think first of all, it will be a discussion about our general cooperation. We have said from the beginning in Greenland that we are ready to discuss everything, but we have some red lines that cannot be violated: Sovereignty. Border demarcation. That is a red line for us.
- But partnerships – also in terms of more military presence, more sovereignty enforcement and more economic and trade relations – we are ready to discuss that. In a respectful tone, Jens-Frederik Nielsen tells Sermitsiaq.
