Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will travel to Greenland on April 2-4 to hold talks with the new government of the semi-autonomous region, she said on Saturday. Her trip follows increased American interest in the strategic location of Greenland and the recent criticism of Denmark’s response to the island’s security by Vice President JD Vance.
“I look forward to continuing the close and trusting cooperation between Denmark and Greenland,” Frederiksen said in a statement, highlighting the need to continue building ties with the Arctic region.
Frederiksen’s visit comes after Vance made comments while visiting the US military base in northern Greenland on Friday that Denmark has not been doing enough to defend the island. He suggested that the United States might provide better protection, citing Greenland’s strategic importance. His comments were made only hours after Greenland’s new government, headed by Jens-Frederik Nielsen, reaffirmed its close relationship with Denmark.
Frederiksen, who has also insisted that Greenlanders should decide the future of Greenland, rejected Vance’s comments as unfair.
“I have the highest respect for how the politicians and people in Greenland are dealing with the tremendous pressure on Greenland,” she said.
She further added that unity is required during such external pressures, and that there should be cooperation between political leaders in Greenland, Denmark, and the broader Kingdom of Denmark.
Greenland, which is a self-governing part of the Danish kingdom since 1721, has been coming under ever-stronger geopolitical interest, mainly from the United States, which in the past had always yearned for dominance of the rich-resource island. The visit is going to reassure Denmark’s assurance on Greenland’s defense and autonomy amid rising tensions with Washington.
