The Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus holds a press conference together with Naalakkersuisoq for foreign affairs, business and raw materials Múte B. Egede on Monday afternoon.
Monday afternoon Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus (Soc.) gives a speech to the Arctic Command’s staff in Nuuk.
It is his first bilateral trip to meet with Múte B. Egede and confirms that Greenland and Denmark have a strong cooperation.
– It is also to express my great gratitude to all of you, who carry out a huge effort for the kingdom, says Minister of Defense Jeppe Bruus addressing the Arctic Command’s staff.
He points out that the Danish state has invested “massively and upgraded massively” in the Arctic.
– There is a clear demand for the frames, but also on land, at sea and in the air. And that is some of what we are looking at and will invest in. This task will consist of the implementation of the agreements that have been made, he says.
We need to get closer to each other
The new defense minister put into words the latest geopolitical situation in which Greenland and Denmark sit together:
– Our task will be to jointly make sure, to know that the time that has been will not come again, but we are facing a number of years where we have to move together in the bus in the kingdom, says Jeppe Bruus.
Good dialogue emphasized
After the speech to the Arctic Command’s staff, Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus and Naalakkersuisoq for Foreign Affairs Múte B. Egede hold a press conference for the press present.
Naalakkersuisoq thanks the Minister of Defense for his interest in visiting Greenland so soon after the formation of the government and says that good dialogues are underway.
– Although time is short, we have achieved a great deal and held many meetings. The situation in the Arctic and Greenland is very strained now. These are large areas which can be beautiful, but can also be harsh. There are conditions that you have to find out in Greenland. The same with the people. I hope that you get a lot out of your visit, says Múte B. Egede.
He emphasizes that the two parties’ most important task is to cooperate on the growing interest in Greenland.
Agreements come into place
Jeppe Bruus also thanks naalakkersuisoq for the hospitality and emphasizes that the new Danish government has a great interest in keeping a good dialogue going with Greenland. At the same time, he reveals that an agreement will soon be in place:
– It goes without saying that the new government will continue to have a very close and equal collaboration with Greenland and the Faroe Islands within the kingdom. Everything we do must benefit the local community. I am happy to say that the defense intends to sign a contract with Air Greenland for surveillance in Greenland. It must finally be in place this week.
He goes on to say that in the coming years, the Danish government, in close cooperation with Greenland, will prioritize a continued strengthening of the defense’s capabilities in the country.
Rejects US overtures
Journalists present are interested in hearing Naalakkersuisoq for foreign affairs Múte B. Egede’s thoughts on Jeff Landry’s latest statements about Greenland.
President Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, has indeed congratulated Greenland on National Day on July 21 and expressed that he expects Greenland to become the 51st state as early as next year.
– We won’t be. Greenland’s future is decided in Greenland. It is a great disrespect towards Greenland and the kingdom that you have cooperation in a working group and then come up with such statements. It is completely out of the question, replies Múte B. Egede.
