US President Donald Trump signed a security agreement with Denmark and Greenland on September 22 at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The agreement is aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic and follows months of tension over Greenland’s strategic position.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen joined Trump for the signing. The agreement recognises Greenland’s right to self-determination while reaffirming the security relationship between Greenland, Denmark and the United States.
Under the agreement, the US will be able to expand its military presence in Greenland. Plans include upgrades to the existing Pituffik Space Base and new defence areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. The agreement also prevents non-NATO countries from establishing a military presence in Greenland.
The accord addresses the security concerns of the three parties while maintaining Danish sovereignty over Greenland. It also provides that the security arrangements would remain in place if Greenland becomes independent, provided it remains a member of NATO.
The agreement comes after months of disagreement over Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland and Denmark had rejected proposals involving US control of the territory.
The signing took place during the UN General Assembly in New York. Denmark, Greenland and the United States will each keep a signed copy of the agreement in English, Danish and Greenlandic. The agreement still requires the necessary national parliamentary procedures before it can enter into force.
