The government heads of Denmark (Mette Frederiksen), Spain (Pedro Sanchez), Germany (Friedrich Merz), Poland (Donald Tusk), the United Kingdom (Keir Starmer), Italy (Giorgio Meloni), and French President Emmanuel Macron, assessed in a statement published by Frederiksen on X that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and is a "critical element of 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 statement said.
The collective appeal is a response to a renewed threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to take over Danish territory. Trump has in recent days repeated that he wants to gain control of Greenland, an idea first voiced in 2019 during his first presidency, arguing it is vital for the U.S. military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it.
"Greenland belongs to its people. Only Denmark and Greenland can make decisions concerning Denmark and Greenland" - the European leaders statement emphasised. Greenland is an autonomous dependent territory of Denmark, which has been a NATO member since 1949.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters in Warsaw that "no member should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning if conflict or mutual conflicts occurred within the alliance".
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Source: PAP, IAR, Reuters