French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on Sunday in a symbolic show of unity with Denmark, following threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to take control of the Arctic territory.
Greenland, though self-governing, remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark and has the right to pursue independence. Both Danish and Greenlandic leaders have made it clear: the island is not for sale, and any decision about its future rests solely with the Greenlandic people.
President Trump has expressed interest in acquiring the strategically located, resource-rich island and has not ruled out the use of force. His vice president, JD Vance, visited a U.S. military installation on Greenland earlier this year.
Macron is the first foreign leader to visit the island since Trump's remarks. Invited by the prime ministers of Greenland and Denmark, he said the trip is intended to discourage attempts to exploit the territory.
"France has supported us since the first announcements about taking our land surfaced. That support is both welcome and essential," Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote in a Facebook post ahead of the visit.
When asked if Macron planned to make a direct statement to the United States, one of his advisers said, “The visit speaks for itself,” without directly referencing Trump.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told RTL radio: "Greenland is a European territory. It's only natural that Europe and especially France expresses its interest".
A new IFOP poll for NYC.eu published Saturday showed 77% of French and 56% of Americans oppose U.S. annexation of Greenland. Notably, 43% of French respondents would support military intervention to prevent a U.S. takeover.
During his visit, Macron will tour the capital Nuuk, a glacier, and a hydropower facility co-funded by the EU. He will also meet with local leaders to discuss Arctic security and climate change.
Though Denmark is part of the EU, Greenland is not. Macron's team says the trip will explore ways to enhance Greenland’s partnership with the European Union.
Following Trump's threats, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has increased engagement with Paris, including multiple visits and new defence contracts with French suppliers, including orders for surface-to-air missile systems.
According to Florian Vidal of the IFRI think tank, Denmark's outreach to France, Europe's only nuclear power reflects a shift. Long a close ally of Washington, Copenhagen is now seeking strategic balance.
"The Trump administration’s confrontational stance has pushed Denmark to see France's vision of a more autonomous Europe as more viable", Vidal said. "From a Nordic perspective, France is a serious military power".
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a pre...
Trade routes through Afghanistan took centre stage in Almaty as the European Union, Central Asian states and the United Nations discussed the country'...
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne unless France removes its digital services tax on major...
The Court of Appeal in London ruled on Monday (15 June) that the government's decision to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a te...
Leaders of the world's leading industrialised democracies are gathering in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains for the latest Group of Seven (G7...
Trade routes through Afghanistan took centre stage in Almaty as the European Union, Central Asian states and the United Nations discussed the country's role in shaping regional security and economic connectivity.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne unless France removes its digital services tax on major American technology companies.
The Court of Appeal in London ruled on Monday (15 June) that the government's decision to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was lawful, handing ministers a victory in a closely watched legal battle over protest rights and national security.
Leaders of the world's leading industrialised democracies are gathering in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains for the latest Group of Seven (G7) summit on Monday, with the wars in Ukraine and Iran, economic tensions and artificial intelligence expected to dominate discussions.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
U.S. and Iranian officials said they had agreed on a framework to end their war, halt the U.S. blockade of Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a preliminary pact that sent oil prices falling but leaves the fate of Iran's nuclear program to further negotiations.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on French wine and champagne unless France removes its digital services tax on major American technology companies.
The Court of Appeal in London ruled on Monday (15 June) that the government's decision to ban pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was lawful, handing ministers a victory in a closely watched legal battle over protest rights and national security.
Leaders of the world's leading industrialised democracies are gathering in the French resort town of Evian-les-Bains for the latest Group of Seven (G7) summit on Monday, with the wars in Ukraine and Iran, economic tensions and artificial intelligence expected to dominate discussions.
The UK has become the latest country to annouce a social media ban for children under 16. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement on Monday, adding that he will impose restrictions on gaming and livestreaming platforms as well.
The stepson of Norway's Crown Prince Haakon has been found guilty of two counts of rape as well as domestic violence and other crimes and is sentenced to four years in prison, an Oslo court ruled on Monday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment