Chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), and Naalakkersuisouq for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Raw Materials, Múte B. Egede (IA) have called for a short press briefing at 12:15 – 12:25 Monday.
The press briefing will discuss the meeting with the US Ambassador to Denmark, Kenneth A. Howery, and the US Special Envoy for Greenland, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Naalakkersuisut informs.
Sermitsiaq has followed the press conference - read the updates from there below:
Update 12.28: The Greenlandic people are not for sale
Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that the message from Naalakkersuisut is as important as ever.
- We are committed to continuing the dialogue and finding the best solutions for Greenland.
- We have reiterated that the Greenlandic people are not for sale, and our right to self-determination is not up for discussion, he says.
Múte B. Egede agrees:
- We have some red lines. We are not going to sell Greenland. We are going to own Greenland forever, he says.
Update 12.23: Not healthy and productive
Jens-Frederik Nielsen is asked for information about Landry having an American doctor with him:
- First of all, I cannot confirm whether there will be a meeting with an American doctor. But I agree that if you want to familiarize yourself with the health sector in Greenland, you should contact the right channels.
- The ships that have been talked about, it's running through the media. It's not healthy and productive. It has to happen through the right channels, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen and continues:
- When you listen to the president's rhetoric, it's a desire to own more. That's why we have a working group. And we have to respect its work, he repeats.
Update 12.20: Respect has suffered a setback
Jens-Frederik Nielsen says that Greenland seeks good cooperation, and that the work in the established working group must be respected:
- We have to respect the working group that has been established, and the work must happen through the right channels, he says.
Múte B. Egede says that the discussion with the Americans has been good and orderly:
- I would like to emphasize that we must return to proper cooperation, and we said that clearly from the Greenlandic side. With respect for each other. Respect has suffered a setback in recent years, says Múte B. Egede and continues:
- The things that are said about wanting more out of the cooperation are something we have been looking for six years. We have not put obstacles to that cooperation. We must wait for the working group to finish their work, he says.
Update 12.18: Good tone
Jens-Frederik Nielsen begins the press conference, and he says that the meeting with the Americans has just ended:
- We have just left a meeting with Ken Howery and Jeff Landry. The meeting took place with mutual respect and in a good tone, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen and continues:
- We have of course announced what is important to us. During the meeting we emphasized the various things that have been said from the beginning: Greenland and the Greenlandic society must be respected, he says.
Update at 12.10: Around 10 press people have arrived in the Naalakkersuisut press room ahead of the press conference, which will start soon.
Landry arrived on Sunday
Jeff Landry arrived with a small delegation to Nuuk on Sunday afternoon, and this morning Ambassador Howery landed on a plane from Copenhagen. The two have announced their arrival for the Future Greenland business conference on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In addition, Howery will inaugurate the new American consulate in Nuuk. This will take place on Thursday. However, Landry is already leaving for home on Wednesday and will therefore not participate in this part.
There has been very little information about Jeff Landry's program in Greenland prior to the visit, but after his arrival it has emerged that he was to meet with representatives from the Greenland Government.
