A group of European leaders issued a joint statement Tuesday reaffirming that Greenland “belongs to its people” and that decisions about the Arctic territory rest with Denmark and Greenland alone, according to Statsministeriet.
The statement was released in response to renewed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump about the United States taking control of Greenland, prompting fresh pushback from Denmark and its European allies.
Signed by President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany and the leaders of Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark, the statement framed Arctic security as a “key priority” for Europe and for transatlantic security.
It said NATO has made clear the Arctic region is a priority and that European allies have increased their presence, activities and investments to deter adversaries. The leaders also emphasized that the Kingdom of Denmark — including Greenland — is part of NATO.
Security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, including the United States, the statement said, and through the principles of the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
The leaders called that the United States an important partner and highlighted to the 1951 defense agreement between the United States and Denmark.
