LYNGBY, Denmark (AP) — New Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen mentioned Sunday that U.S. statements concerning the mineral-rich Arctic island have been disrespectful and that Greenland “won’t ever, ever be a chunk 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 aspect by aspect 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 been 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, lately agreed to type 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 need to put money into 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 in fact have a will to additionally proceed investing within the Greenlandic society,” she added.
Nielsen is ready to fulfill King Frederik X on Monday, earlier than returning to Greenland with Frederik for a royal go to to the island.
Frederiksen and Nielsen had been requested whether or not a gathering between them and Trump was being deliberate.
“We all the time wish to meet with the American president,” Frederiksen mentioned. “In fact we wish to. However I believe we have now been very, very clear in what’s the (Danish commonwealth’s) method to all components of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
