Trump earlier on Wednesday called for "immediate negotiations" to acquire Greenland, saying in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that he would not use military force in pursuing control of the Arctic island.
“People thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force," Trump told the gathering.
"All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland," he added.
Speaking later at a news conference in Warsaw, Kosiniak-Kamysz said he welcomed the statement.
"The most important thing is to avoid sending any signals about the possible use of troops against NATO allies," he said. "This is what happened today, and that is good news."
Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, said that preserving NATO unity was paramount, noting that both the United States and Denmark, which administers Greenland as an autonomous territory, are members of the alliance.
Earlier this month, Trump reiterated his long-standing claim that the United States must take control of Greenland, the world’s largest island, and at the time did not rule out the use of force.
On Wednesday, Trump again argued that the United States needs Greenland for national security, warning that otherwise the island could fall under Russian or Chinese influence.
European Union leaders are set to hold an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday amid US pressure over Greenland.
Ahead of the summit, European Council President Antonio Costa said EU member states stood in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
He warned that any US trade tariffs tied to the dispute would weaken transatlantic relations and said the EU was ready to defend itself against any form of coercion.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP