Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Helen McEntee TD, has issued a statement of support for Greenland in reaction to Donald Trump.
The US President has reignited a debate about Greenland’s future which Trump says the United States wants to ‘acquire’.
The White House has now said that it is discussing “a range of options” including possible use of its military to achieve its goal.
“Recent developments have focussed attention on the future of Greenland”, said Helen McEntee.
“This is a matter to be determined by Denmark and by Greenlandic people in line with well-established democratic principles and international law.
This position is rooted in Ireland’s core values and our commitment to the international legal order. Ireland has consistently underlined that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States is a fundamental principle of the United Nations Charter.
Ireland fully supports the approach of our fellow EU Member State Denmark. We will continue to monitor the situation and remain in close contact with Denmark and all relevant partners.”
Her views echo a joint statement from key European allies yesterday:
“Statement by President Macron of France, Chancellor Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Sánchez of Spain, Prime Minister Starmer of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Frederiksen of Denmark on Greenland:
Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security.
NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO.
Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.
The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951.
Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
Reacting to President Trump, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, wrote on social media:
“Our country cannot be taken for granted and cannot be destroyed…Our country isn’t something you can deny or take over because you want to.”