The Faroe Islands, Greenland and Denmark Met for Talks on Security in Insecure Times
Gathered for the Kingdom of Denmark's biannual meeting: Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the Greenlandic Prime Minister, the Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen and the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. (Photo: Naalakkersuisut)
The Kingdom of Denmark is in a dangerous situation, says the Danish prime minister, heralding new Arctic defense measures. At the same time, the realm is to be modernized, and the leaders of the Faroe Islands and Greenland call for foreign policy powers.
This week, the heads of government from the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Denmark gathered for their biannual meeting in the Faroese capital of Tórshavn.
A meeting has also taken place in the Faroese-Greenlandic-Danish committee for foreign, security, and defense policy, including relevant ministers.
Security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic has been a central part of the agenda.
"The world is not only more turbulent, it has also become more dangerous. This is reflected in the pressure against Greenland, which can be felt in the entire Danish realm. Therefore, the Chief of Defense has participated in our meeting for the first time," said Denmark's PM Mette Frederiksen (S) at a joint press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Frederiksen specifically talked about an "unreasonable American pressure": the US President Donald Trump's repeated demands for control over Greenland, while referring to threats from Russia and China.
"The Chief of Defense would not be part of our discussions under more normal circumstances. The question then arises: Will normalcy return? I personally do not think so. Thus, my most important message today is that we must stick together as good NATO allies in Europe, in the Nordic region, and the Danish Realm – and that Denmark has a great will to invest in all parts of the Realm ," she states.
"This meeting in the Realm will be remembered for its gravity. There is increased tension in our part of the world. We see it in the Baltic Sea and at NATO's northern flank, but also in the High North," says Denmark's PM Mette Frederiksen. (Screenshot from the press conference)
Defense and critical infrastructure
The interest from Trump has later been attempted forged into cooperation: In May, the seven Arctic countries in NATO agreed on a joint approach to how the alliance is to work toward strengthening security in the Arctic.
"The Arctic and the North Atlantic are subject to increasing interest in a NATO context, and I am pleased that there is a stronger NATO focus toward the North. From the Danish side, we are willing to do more with a new Arctic capacity package, which is now underway," stated Frederiksen.
"We are also willing to invest more in the development of the Greenlandic community. That could be investments in critical infrastructure and business development, such as ports that can be utilized in a defense context, but also in connection with tourism or the extraction of raw materials," she added.
A strengthened Danish military presence in and around Greenland is also underway.
On Sunday, approximately 100 soldiers from a light infantry battalion in the Danish Armed Forces landed in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. They will train to guard critical infrastructure along the west coast of Greenland. Earlier in June, a frigate and two helicopters arrived to reinforce military operations on and around the island. (Photo: Rebekka Gimm/The Danish Armed Forces)
Adjustments underway
The modernization of the Realm has also been an important topic of discussion among the heads of government.
"There is extensive agreement among the Faroese political parties that we need greater foreign policy authority; that we must be able to represent ourselves and safeguard our interests within international organizations such as the WTO, the Nordic Council, and the Nordic Council of Ministers, as well as EFTA. Pretty much everything that is produced in the Faroe Islands is exported, and it is therefore important that we can enter into more trade agreements," said the Faroese PM Aksel V. Johannesen (JF).
"We want to be part of a strong community with Denmark and Greenland, but change is necessary to have a Realm that is built upon cooperation between equal parties," continued Johannessen.
Ongoing dialogue
"From the Greenlandic side, we have always wanted more foreign policy authority and equality in the Realm. There has been an open and good dialogue around this these days, and I look forward to ongoing discussions to find constructive solutions," said Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the head of Greenland's government, Naalakkersuisut.
"We have also discussed the special foreign policy situation that Greenland is facing. I am pleased that the importance of unity with friends and allies in respect and trust has been emphasized once again, because the signals we are getting [from the US, ed. note] are a challenge against international law," continued Nielsen.
The Danish prime minister did not want to elaborate on the negotiations with Greenland and the Faroe Islands during the press conference, but stated the following:
"I want to give a very clear signal from the Danish side that we are to modernize our Realm, and this is an ongoing dialogue. We must stick together in difficult times."
