The agreement between the USA, Greenland and Denmark has been published. Among the conditions is that Greenland undertakes to remain in NATO and comply with the agreement in the event of Greenland’s independence. Frameworks are also set for which countries investments in so-called sensitive sectors may come from.
Naalakkersuisut has in connection with the signing published the agreement with the USA and Denmark on its website.
The chairman of Naalakkersuisut, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (D), emphasizes about the agreement that it recognizes the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination:
– The agreement recognizes that we are a people with the right to self-determination. At the same time, we are recognized as part of our common security in the Arctic, says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
The agreement states, among other things, that the Kingdom’s territorial sovereignty is respected. So neither territory nor sovereignty is surrendered.
New defense areas
Next, the agreement confirms the USA’s ability to establish new defense areas in Greenland. The agreement begins concretely with the parties expressing a common interest in giving the USA access to, among other things, establishing a Golden Dome defense system. A plan Trump has previously launched, which is to be a large missile defense system over the United States.
However, new creations of defense areas still require approval from Greenland and Denmark first.
Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig are indicated as future locations, but the detailed framework for the creation of the new defense areas requires further discussions and agreement on the technical details.
It is also mentioned in the agreement that Denmark, together with Greenland, must process requests to set up unmanned military installations in Greenland outside defense areas in accordance with accelerated authority approval procedures.
The agreement reaffirms the USA’s ability to land and fly over Greenland, and US ships will have access to sailing in the waters around Greenland, if there is an agreement on this for defense reasons.
All military access must be exercised in a way that takes Greenlandic society into account.
Commercial contracts for Greenlandic companies and investments only from Greenland’s allies
The new agreement also describes part of the future for the Greenlandic business community.
It is only investors who are states or investors from a state that is a member of NATO, a NATO partner or is an EU member state who can have significant influence within so-called “sensitive” sectors.
A future screening law must implement this part of the agreement. However, exceptions to the rule can be agreed between the parties.
The introduction to the agreement describes how “sensitive” sectors are to be understood: “Particularly sensitive sectors or activities” means sectors or activities determined to be particularly sensitive, including but not limited to critical infrastructure and extraction of resources.
In addition, the agreement states that Greenlandic companies will be given preferential rights to commercial contracts in connection with US defense areas.
Hunting and fishing are protected
The environmental considerations from the 1991 agreement and the Igaliku agreement must apply to all future defense areas of the United States, so that the environment is taken care of.
Greenland must remain part of NATO in the event of independence
The agreement states that only NATO countries can establish defense areas in Greenland.
Last, but not least, it is described in the agreement that, in the event of independence, Greenland undertakes to remain in NATO and continue the agreement just concluded.
The agreement has no end date.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calls the agreement good:
– We have signed a good agreement today. For Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark and the USA. And for NATO and Europe. Because the agreement strengthens our common defense and security. And is deeply rooted in NATO cooperation. The agreement recognizes and respects the Kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Greenlanders’ right to self-determination, says Mette Frederiksen.
The entire agreement can be read via Naalakkersuisut’s website.
