Dutch reiterate support for Greenland and its “key Arctic role”

The Netherlands has voiced its support for Denmark and Greenland following renewed comments by US president Donald Trump about annexing the Arctic territory.

Caretaker foreign affairs minister David van Weel said on social media that the Netherlands stands with “our Danish friends”.  “Greenland plays a key role in safeguarding Arctic security. … concerning the future of Greenland, it is up to Denmark & Greenland to decide,” Van Weel said. 

Several European leaders also issued a joint statement on Tuesday stating that security in the Arctic region is a matter for Nato, with the United States described as a key ally.

The declaration was signed by Denmark, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and Poland, and the Netherlands gives the statement its full support, prime minister Dick Schoof said.

Trump has repeatedly made threatening remarks about Greenland, which he says the US wants to annex. On Sunday he said the United States “absolutely needs” Greenland because of its security importance and strategic location.

Van Weel did not refer directly to the US in his post, but said the Netherlands encourages dialogue and cooperation between Nato allies to strengthen “our” security in Greenland.

Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for around 200 years but has enjoyed a degree of autonomy since 1979. It has its own government, while Denmark remains responsible for defence and foreign affairs. A majority of Greenland’s population ultimately favours independence.

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen said earlier this week that a US attack on a Nato ally would be disastrous. “If the US were to attack another Nato country, everything would come to a halt,” she said, adding that this would also undermine Nato and the post-war international security order.

Trump’s remarks about Greenland come at a time of heightened concern, following recent US actions in Venezuela, about where Washington might intervene next.