Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede stated on Friday he was prepared to talk with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has stated he needs management over the Arctic island, and urged respect for the island’s independence aspirations.
Trump, who takes workplace on Jan. 20, has described US management of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, as an “absolute necessity.” He didn’t dismiss the potential use of military or economic means, together with tariffs towards Denmark.
At a Copenhagen press convention, when requested if he had had contact with Trump, Egede responded: “No, however we’re prepared to speak.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who additionally addressed the press convention, stated on Thursday she had requested for a meeting with Trump, however didn’t anticipate it to occur earlier than his inauguration.
Greenland, house to 57,000 folks, was a Danish colony till 1953 however is now a self-governing Danish territory. In 2009, it secured the proper to say independence by way of a vote.
The U.S. maintains a army base within the northern a part of the strategically important territory.
Egede emphasised Greenland’s aspirations, saying: “We have now a want for independence, a want to be the grasp of our personal home … That is one thing everybody ought to respect.”
“However that doesn’t imply we’re reducing all ties, all cooperation and all relations with Denmark,” he stated.
An independence motion has gained momentum lately, which Egede mentioned in his new year speech.
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