On Friday afternoon, the new Canadian consulate in Nuuk officially opened.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is in Nuuk for the opening. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen was also supposed to attend the opening on Friday but was delayed and did not arrive in time.
However, Lars Løkke Rasmussen arrived in Nuuk later, and together with Naalakkersuisoq's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vivian Motzfeldt, he held a number of meetings in Nuuk on Saturday.
On Saturday afternoon, the three ministers will address the press at a press conference near the Canadian Coast Guard ship, Jean Goodwill, which is also visiting.
Vivian Motzfeldt begins the press conference by thanking Canada for supporting Greenland during a difficult time.
- It is truly appreciated. It gives comfort to the Greenlandic people to have a close ally and neighbor who reaches out with support and presence, says Vivian Motzfeldt.
She further says that the Canadian flag, now flying at the consulate in the center of Nuuk, will be an important symbol in the coming years, when there will be closer cooperation in education, culture and trade between the countries.
- We will also cooperate in NATO to ensure security in our Arctic region, says Motzfeldt.
- A new beginning
Now Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand takes over the microphone.
She thanks Motzfeldt and Løkke Rasmussen for the meeting and cooperation.
- Our diplomatic work here will serve many Canadians, Danes and Greenlanders, says Anita Anand.
She says there will be a continued focus on economic ties between the countries as well as security in the Arctic.
Lars Løkke Rasmussen says he is happy to be in Nuuk, and that it has been a difficult time when it has been important to have good friends. And one such friend is Canada.
- We have had diplomatic relations with Canada for 80 years, so it is a longer relationship, but I feel this is a new beginning with the consulate in Nuuk, which is a good opportunity to expand existing cooperation, says Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Asked about threat from the USA
He is pleased that Canada shares Denmark's view of Greenland's right to self-determination, and that the crisis can also lead to new opportunities for Greenland.
The press is open to questions, and questions are raised about whether Greenland still feels a threat from the United States.
Vivian Motzfeldt responds that the situation is better than a month ago, and that a diplomatic track with direct dialogue with the United States is now being pursued.
- We are not where we want to be yet. Where it will ultimately land is too early to say, says Motzfeldt.
Vivian Motzfeldt is asked what it means for Greenland that Canada is opening its consulate right now. She responds by emphasizing, among other things, that Greenland has been working to expand diplomatic relations with Canada for a long time, and she also expresses gratitude:
- It means a lot to us to feel. We are not alone. We are standing here with a friend, says Vivian Motzfeldt and continues:
- Going forward, we will find it easier to strengthen our ties now that there is a "piece of Canada" in Nuuk, and we are also working on opening a representative office in Canada.
(Updated)
