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EU Weighs in on U.S. Envoy Move on Greenland
(MENAFN) The European Union said on Monday that safeguarding Denmark’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and borders is “essential,” responding to new diplomatic steps by the United States involving Greenland.
Speaking during a midday briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni avoided direct criticism of Washington but underlined that the bloc’s stance has not changed.
The comments followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Sunday naming a special envoy to the autonomous Danish territory.
"It is not for me here to comment on US decisions, but what I can say about the EU position is the following, which has been our long-standing position on the matter that preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union," El Anouni said.
Earlier on Monday, Denmark said it would summon Kenneth A. Howery, the US ambassador to Copenhagen, seeking clarification after Trump appointed Jeff Landry, the governor of the US state of Louisiana, as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, a Danish broadcaster reported.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the US decision “completely unacceptable,” adding that Copenhagen’s move to call in the ambassador was coordinated with Greenland’s authorities.
Rasmussen said Denmark expects a full explanation for why Washington chose to appoint a special envoy to Greenland despite already maintaining an ambassadorial presence in the country.
Trump has revived his interest in Greenland since returning to the White House, citing the island’s strategic position and significant mineral wealth. During his earlier presidency, he described acquiring Greenland as an “absolute necessity” for US economic security and likened the idea to a “large real estate deal.”
Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected the prospect of US ownership of the island in response to Trump’s remarks.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, gained home rule in 1979 and remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. A 2009 referendum approved the Self-Government Act, expanding Greenland’s autonomy while Denmark continues to control foreign policy, defense, and security.
Speaking during a midday briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni avoided direct criticism of Washington but underlined that the bloc’s stance has not changed.
The comments followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Sunday naming a special envoy to the autonomous Danish territory.
"It is not for me here to comment on US decisions, but what I can say about the EU position is the following, which has been our long-standing position on the matter that preserving the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark, its sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders is essential for the European Union," El Anouni said.
Earlier on Monday, Denmark said it would summon Kenneth A. Howery, the US ambassador to Copenhagen, seeking clarification after Trump appointed Jeff Landry, the governor of the US state of Louisiana, as Washington’s special envoy to Greenland, a Danish broadcaster reported.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen called the US decision “completely unacceptable,” adding that Copenhagen’s move to call in the ambassador was coordinated with Greenland’s authorities.
Rasmussen said Denmark expects a full explanation for why Washington chose to appoint a special envoy to Greenland despite already maintaining an ambassadorial presence in the country.
Trump has revived his interest in Greenland since returning to the White House, citing the island’s strategic position and significant mineral wealth. During his earlier presidency, he described acquiring Greenland as an “absolute necessity” for US economic security and likened the idea to a “large real estate deal.”
Both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected the prospect of US ownership of the island in response to Trump’s remarks.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, gained home rule in 1979 and remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. A 2009 referendum approved the Self-Government Act, expanding Greenland’s autonomy while Denmark continues to control foreign policy, defense, and security.
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