The European Union on Monday reaffirmed its firm stance on respecting the principle of territorial integrity and national sovereignty of states, in an indirect but firm response to renewed statements by US President Donald Trump about his desire to annex Greenland, which is part of the Danish crown.
“The EU will continue to uphold the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders,” said Anita Heber, spokesperson for EU foreign policy, in remarks to reporters. She emphasized that these principles are “universal values” that the bloc will not cease to defend, especially when it comes to the territorial integrity of an EU member state, in a clear reference to Denmark.
Background of the historical controversy surrounding Greenland
This is not the first time the US president has raised this issue. In 2019, during his first term, Trump caused a major diplomatic uproar when he suggested the idea of the United States purchasing Greenland, the world's largest island, which enjoys self-governance under Danish sovereignty. At the time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the idea as "absurd," asserting that "Greenland is not for sale," leading to a temporary strain in relations between Washington and Copenhagen and the cancellation of a planned presidential visit to Denmark.
Strategic and geopolitical importance
Washington's desire to control Greenland has acquired a strategic dimension that transcends mere geographical expansion. The island's vital location between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans makes it a crucial military outpost. It already hosts the US Thule Air Base, a key component of the US missile early warning system.
Furthermore, with the melting of ice due to climate change, Greenland’s vast natural resources are becoming more extractable, as it is believed to contain huge reserves of rare earth minerals, oil and gas, making it an arena for international competition, especially with the growing Chinese and Russian interest in the Arctic region.
unified European position
The EU statement underscores the unity of the European front in the face of any proposals that might infringe upon the sovereignty of member states. Analysts believe the EU is sending a message that relations with strategic partners, including the United States, must be based on mutual respect for international rules, and that the concept of "buying" sovereign territory is no longer acceptable in modern international practice.
