Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concern over a planned visit by U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be founded on mutual respect and recognition of sovereignty.
“The visit from the United States cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made. In the Kingdom, we want to cooperate with the Americans. But it must be a cooperation that rests on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples,” Frederiksen said in a written statement to Danish broadcaster DR.
The statement came after reports that a U.S. delegation will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, including meetings in the cities of Nuuk and Sisimiut. The delegation includes U.S. officials interested in exploring cooperation opportunities.
In a video message on social media, a member of the delegation expressed excitement about visiting Greenland and attending local cultural events, including a dog sled race in Sisimiut.
However, Greenland’s dog sledding association clarified in a statement that it had not invited any U.S. delegation to the race.
The visit has sparked concerns among Greenlandic politicians. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of the Demokraatit party, said the timing of the visit showed “a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population.”
Mute Egede, Greenland’s prime minister and leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, described the visit as “a clear provocation,” particularly due to the involvement of high-ranking U.S. officials.
In recent years, Greenland has attracted international attention due to its strategic location and natural resources. In 2019, then U.S. President Donald Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, leading to diplomatic tensions. The government of Greenland affirmed that the island is not for sale and emphasized its autonomy.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark, and Greenlanders were given Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over its foreign and defense policy.
