Greenland: Germany and France strongly criticize Trump's threat

 Thursday, January 9, 2025

Islamabad (UrduPoint News Today/ Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2025 ) After US President-elect Donald Trump did not rule out military action to take control of Greenland, Germany has said that borders should not be changed by force.

It should be noted that the vast Arctic island of Greenland is an autonomous territory of the European Union and NATO member country Denmark.

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German government spokesman Stefan Haberstraet cited the UN Charter, highlighting international agreements, saying that "this strong principle applies as a rule.

... that borders should not be moved by force.

"

However, he did not comment on whether Berlin took Trump's threats against Denmark seriously.

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"I don't want to speculate on these comments," he said during a regular news conference, but the German government has "taken note" of them.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had discussed Trump's remarks with other EU leaders and reiterated that border violations were against "fundamental international law."

Scholz said there had been a "misunderstanding" about "certain statements" from the US during talks with EU leaders.

"The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, whether it is to our east or to our west," the German chancellor said.

The German chancellor's comments also came as Russia violated its neighbor's sovereignty by invading Ukraine in eastern Europe.

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France's reaction

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Bayrot said Trump should not threaten the EU's "sovereign borders".

"There is no question of allowing the EU or any other nation in the world, whoever they are, to invade their sovereign borders," Bayrot told France Inter radio.

He added that he did not believe the US would "invade" Greenland. However, he said, "We have entered an era where, whoever has the stick, the law of the buffalo seems to be returning."

"We are a strong continent, we must be strong," he said.

What did the EU say about Trump's statement?

The EU called Trump's statement on Greenland "fantasy" and "fictional."

"We are talking about the hypotheticals of an administration that has not even come to power yet," a European Commission spokesman said, according to AFP.

The spokesman said the EU looks forward to working with the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, EU Commission chief spokeswoman Paula Pinho said that the sovereignty of states must be respected "in principle."

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Who owns Greenland?

Denmark has said that Greenland, which is a sovereign part of its kingdom, is not for sale.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump's comments by saying, "I don't think it's a good idea to fight over financial resources when we are close allies and partners."

She added that she welcomes Washington's increased interest in the Arctic region, but that it "should be done in a way that includes respect for the people of Greenland."

Meanwhile, Greenland's Prime Minister, Møte Ejde, has called for the island's full independence from Denmark. However, he said Greenland has no interest in becoming part of the United States. He stressed that the island is not for sale.