European Leaders Scorn US Attempt to Annex Greenland, Reiterating Sovereignty and NATO Principles
In a joint statement released hours after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed that the US should annex Greenland, European leaders reiterated their commitment to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement emphasized that "Greenland belongs to its people," contradicting Miller's assertion that the US has formal ownership over the island.
The statement, signed by leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Denmark, also stressed the importance of Arctic security and NATO's priority in maintaining stability in the region. The European allies pledged to work collectively with the US to uphold universal principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders.
The joint statement comes after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any American attempt to seize control of Greenland would be tantamount to the end of the NATO military alliance. Miller's comments sparked concern among lawmakers from both parties, with some pushing back against the idea of asserting US control over the island.
Democratic Rep. Steny H. Hoyer and Republican Rep. Blake Moore, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, released a joint statement saying that "sabre-rattling about annexing Greenland is needlessly dangerous." They noted that the US already has access to everything it needs from Greenland and that any attack on the island would be an attack on NATO.
The controversy surrounding Miller's comments highlights the delicate balance between the US and its European allies in the Arctic region. As melting sea ice opens up new shipping routes, countries are vying for influence and control over the strategically located island.
Greenland has been a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark for 300 years, with its own elected government and a population of around 60,000 people. Its location between the US, Russia, and Europe makes it a critical region for both economic and defense purposes.
The joint statement from European leaders serves as a strong rebuke to Miller's assertion, reaffirming the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Arctic region.
In a joint statement released hours after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed that the US should annex Greenland, European leaders reiterated their commitment to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The statement emphasized that "Greenland belongs to its people," contradicting Miller's assertion that the US has formal ownership over the island.
The statement, signed by leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, and Denmark, also stressed the importance of Arctic security and NATO's priority in maintaining stability in the region. The European allies pledged to work collectively with the US to uphold universal principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders.
The joint statement comes after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any American attempt to seize control of Greenland would be tantamount to the end of the NATO military alliance. Miller's comments sparked concern among lawmakers from both parties, with some pushing back against the idea of asserting US control over the island.
Democratic Rep. Steny H. Hoyer and Republican Rep. Blake Moore, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, released a joint statement saying that "sabre-rattling about annexing Greenland is needlessly dangerous." They noted that the US already has access to everything it needs from Greenland and that any attack on the island would be an attack on NATO.
The controversy surrounding Miller's comments highlights the delicate balance between the US and its European allies in the Arctic region. As melting sea ice opens up new shipping routes, countries are vying for influence and control over the strategically located island.
Greenland has been a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark for 300 years, with its own elected government and a population of around 60,000 people. Its location between the US, Russia, and Europe makes it a critical region for both economic and defense purposes.
The joint statement from European leaders serves as a strong rebuke to Miller's assertion, reaffirming the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Arctic region.