Seven European leaders have issued a joint statement underscoring the strategic importance of Arctic security and reaffirming that decisions concerning Greenland rest solely with Denmark and Greenland.
The statement, issued on 6 January, was signed by President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of Spain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the United Kingdom, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security,” the leaders said.
Emphasising NATO’s role in the region, they said, “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.”
The statement further mentioned, “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.”
Highlighting the role of the United States, the leaders noted that 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, the statement read.
