Greenland says ready to cooperate with Trump after annexation vows
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Greenland underlines that it is looking forward to cooperating with US President-elect Donald Trump's administration despite the latter wanting to annex the island.
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Homes are illuminated after the sunset in Tasiilaq, Greenland, Friday, August 16, 2019 (AP)
Greenland's Independence and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt announced on Thursday the island’s readiness to engage with the incoming administration of US President-elect Donald Trump, particularly on opportunities in business and mineral development.
Motzfeldt’s statement comes after Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, declared last month that owning Greenland was "an absolute necessity" for the United States. His remark followed the appointment of a new US ambassador to Denmark. Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede responded firmly, emphasizing that the island is not for sale.
"Greenland looks forward to discussing opportunities for cooperation in business and the development of Greenland's mineral sector, including essential raw materials, and other areas with the United States ... The government [of Greenland] looks forward to establishing contact with President-elect Donald Trump and his new administration," Motzfeldt said.
The minister stressed that Greenland belongs to its people and only they have the right to decide the island’s future.
Despite Trump’s controversial remarks, Greenland remains open to constructive collaboration with its closest neighbors, welcoming their interest in expanding bilateral cooperation, Motzfeldt added.
Greenland, once a Danish colony, gained autonomy in 2009, granting it self-governance in domestic affairs while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Greenlandic, Danish leaders meet
Greenland's leader met with the Danish king in Copenhagen following Trump's comments about annexing the Arctic island.
Trump, set to take office on January 20, stated on Tuesday that he would not dismiss the possibility of using military or economic measures against Denmark to bring Greenland into the United States.
Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede, who arrived in Copenhagen late Tuesday, had previously stated that his meeting with Denmark's King Frederik, scheduled for Wednesday, would be postponed. However, on Wednesday, the Danish royal court announced that the meeting would go ahead, without providing further details.
Greenland, home to a population of 57,000, has been a part of Denmark for 600 years, and now manages most of its internal affairs as a semi-sovereign territory within the Danish realm.
Egede has made it clear that Greenland is not for sale, and in his New Year speech, he intensified efforts for the island's independence from Denmark. Denmark has also asserted that the territory is not for sale, emphasizing that its future can only be determined by the people of Greenland.
It is worth noting that back in 2019, Trump canceled a planned visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed his idea of the US purchasing Greenland.
