LYNGBY, Denmark — New Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen mentioned Sunday that U.S. statements in regards to the mineral-rich Arctic island have been disrespectful and that Greenland “won’t ever, ever be a bit of property that may be purchased by simply anybody.”
Nielsen made the remarks in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s curiosity in taking management of the strategic territory as Nielsen stood facet by facet with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on the second day of a three-day official go to. Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
“The talks from america haven’t been respectful,” Nielsen mentioned at a information convention on the prime minister’s Marienborg official residence in Lyngby, 12 kilometers (8 miles) north of Copenhagen.
“The phrases used haven’t be respectful. That’s why we want on this scenario, we have to stand collectively,” he added.
Political events in Greenland, which has been leaning towards eventual independence from Denmark for years, not too long ago agreed to kind a broad-based new coalition authorities within the face of Trump’s designs on the territory.
Greenland’s authorities mentioned that Nielsen’s three-day go to, which started Saturday, was geared toward future cooperation between the 2 nations.
“Denmark has the desire to spend money on the Greenlandic society, and we don’t simply have that for historic causes. We even have that as a result of we’re a part of (the Danish) commonwealth with one another,” mentioned Frederiksen.
“We after all have a will to additionally proceed investing within the Greenlandic society,” she added.
Nielsen is about to satisfy King Frederik X on Monday, earlier than returning to Greenland with Frederik for a royal go to to the island.
Frederiksen and Nielsen have been requested whether or not a gathering between them and Trump was being deliberate.
“We at all times wish to meet with the American president,” Frederiksen mentioned. “In fact we wish to. However I feel we’ve got been very, very clear in what’s the (Danish commonwealth’s) method to all components of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
