French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday, where he expressed European solidarity and support for the Danish autonomous territory, which US President Donald Trump had previously stated his intention to take control of, France24 reports.
“It is important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic interests and whose territorial integrity must be respected,” Macron said.
The French president made the visit together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on their way to the G7 summit in Canada on June 15-17. They were met at Nuuk airport by Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederiksen.
Macron criticized Trump’s intention to take control of the island. “I don’t think that’s something you do to allies,” the French president said.
According to the publication, the visit will also be an opportunity to discuss how to further strengthen relations between the EU and Greenland when it comes to economic development, the transition to low-carbon energy, and critical minerals.
Later on Sunday, Macron, Frederiksen, and Nielsen held a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, demonstrating France’s concern about security issues in the region.
