Nuuk, Greenland, Mar 14 (EFE).- Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen told US President Donald Trump on Friday that he could not annex Greenland as it would be a “violation of international law”.
“You cannot annex an allied country, or any other country, for that matter. (…) That would be a violation of international law, this is clearly stated,” Rasmussen told reporters in Copenhagen.
Trump, who has reiterated his interest in the Arctic island, an autonomous territory of Denmark, said on Thursday that the US needed the annexation for security reasons.
“I think it will happen. We need that (Greenland) for international security,” he told a press conference in the Oval Office after meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Rutte said it was not his place to discuss whether or not Greenland should become part of the US, a statement that Rasmussen played down on Friday.
“I’m absolutely certain that NATO will, of course, stand by Denmark,” Rasmussen said of US threats to use force or sanctions against Copenhagen.
Greenland held regional elections on Tuesday that were won by Demokraatit, a liberal opposition force that favors moderate independence – like most of the island’s political forces – while Naleraq, the party most in favor of a quick separation from Denmark, came in second.
The Danish foreign minister said that the Greenlandic elections did not show that the population wanted to leave the Commonwealth “to become Americans”.
All Greenland’s parliamentary groups oppose possible US annexation, although the Naleraq wants to sign a treaty of free association with Washington, as do 85% of the population, according to a recent poll.
Demokraatit leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen called Trump’s comments inappropriate and urged Greenlanders to stand together.
“Trump’s statement from the US is inappropriate and shows once again that we must stand together in such situations,” Nielsen said on Facebook.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Múte Egede accused Trump of disrespecting Greenlanders.
“Enough is enough,” he said in a Facebook post.
Egede has called the leaders of all Greenlandic parties to a crisis meeting to discuss the issue, which is expected to take place later on Friday. EFE
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