Denmark remains committed to constructive dialogue with its allies on strengthening security in the Arctic.

On Thursday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Denmark’s sovereignty is not negotiable, after Washington claimed “the framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region had been produced.

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U.S. President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly demanded to take control of Greenland, said on Wednesday that talks with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Secretary General Mark Rutte produced “the framework of a future deal” concerning Greenland and the broader Arctic region.

Denmark is open to negotiation on a wide range of issues, including security and economic matters, but sovereignty is not negotiable, Frederiksen stressed in a statement.

The security of the Arctic is a matter for all NATO members; therefore, “it is good and natural” that Rutte and Trump discussed it, Frederiksen said. “Denmark has for a long time worked to ensure that NATO increases its engagement in the Arctic,” she added.

Frederiksen said that Denmark remains committed to constructive dialogue with its allies on strengthening security in the Arctic, including the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense system, provided such cooperation respects Denmark’s territorial integrity. 

On Wednesday, local media reported that Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen had publicly accepted Trump’s invitation to speak directly regarding Denmark’s position on Greenland.

Earlier, Trump suggested that if Rasmussen truly believed Denmark would not negotiate over Greenland, he should convey that message face to face. Responding to the challenge, Rasmussen affirmed his readiness for such a direct exchange, noting his experience in dealing directly with Trump.

“I’d actually like to say it to his face. I’ve also said other things to his face. I think I can handle that,” said Rasmussen during an interview with Danish Broadcasting Corporation. 

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Xinhua

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