French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday, where he expressed European solidarity and support for the Danish autonomous territory, whose intentions to take control have previously been announced by US President Donald Trump, France24 reported.
“It is important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory, which has very high strategic interests and whose territorial integrity must be respected,” Macron said.
The French president made the visit with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on his way to the G7 summit to be held in Canada from 15-17 June. They were met at Nuuk airport by Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
Macron criticised Trump’s intention to take control of the island. “I don’t think this is something that can be done with allies,” the French head of state said.
The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss how to further strengthen EU-Greenland relations when it comes to economic development, the transition to low-carbon energy and critical minerals, according to the publication.
Later on Sunday, Macron, Frederiksen and Nielsen held a meeting on a Danish helicopter carrier, demonstrating France’s security concerns in the region.