French President Emmanuel Macron has warned against a “law of the strongest” in international relations, raising concerns about potential threats to Greenland and other regions. Macron’s remarks came during a speech to French ambassadors, highlighting a perceived trend of major powers attempting to divide the world amongst themselves.
Macron Warns of Increasing Global Disorder
Macron stated that the current global climate is leading people to “wonder if Greenland will be invaded,” and if Canada might become the 51st state of the United States, or if Taiwan will face increased pressure. He pointed to the United States and China as examples of great powers with “a real temptation to divide the world amongst themselves.”
Macron also said the United States is “gradually turning away from some of its allies and freeing itself from the international rules.”
Greenland’s Sovereignty Supported
Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, affirmed Greenland’s sovereignty on Wednesday, stating, “Greenland belongs to its people,” and that no decisions regarding Denmark or Greenland can be made without their consent. He added that Greenland has the “full solid support and solidarity of the European Union.”
Leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK joined Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday in defending Greenland’s sovereignty following previous comments regarding the territory.
US Military Presence in Greenland
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen detailed the 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the US, publishing a video last year outlining the history of the American military presence in Greenland. The US military presence has decreased from thousands of soldiers across 17 bases and installations to approximately 200 soldiers at the remote Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning, missile defence, and space surveillance operations for the US and NATO.
Rasmussen noted that the 1951 agreement “offers ample opportunity for the United States to have a much stronger military presence in Greenland,” and invited further discussion on the matter.
Strengthening Military Cooperation
Denmark’s parliament approved legislation last year allowing US military bases on Danish soil, expanding a 2023 agreement with the Biden administration granting US troops broad access to Danish air bases.
Denmark is also working to strengthen its military presence around Greenland and in the North Atlantic, allocating 14.6 billion kroner (US$2.3 billion) to improve surveillance and sovereignty capabilities in the region. This plan includes three new Arctic naval vessels, two additional long-range surveillance drones, and increased satellite capacity.
Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, headquartered in Nuuk, is responsible for the “surveillance, assertion of sovereignty and military defence of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.” The elite Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, a Danish naval unit, conducts long-range reconnaissance and enforces Danish sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, and is also stationed in Greenland.
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