Konflikt um Arktisinsel: Grönland gibt grünes Licht für Abkommen mit den USA

The Greenlandic Parliament recently gave its approval to a new security and defense agreement with the United States. According to Ritzau, a majority of 16 lawmakers voted in favor of the accord, which was signed by US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenlandic Government Chief Jens-Frederik Nielsen in September at a UN General Assembly side event in New York.

No opponents were present. The next step is the approval from the Danish Parliament, scheduled for November 19. Once both the U.S. and Danish parliaments endorse the deal, it will become official.

The agreement updates and expands upon a defense pact that has existed between Denmark and the U.S. since 1951. It also puts an end to the ongoing conflict over the Arctic island, which President Trump had threatened to annex in the past, citing security concerns. All three parties expressed satisfaction after the signing of the agreement.

While Denmark and Greenland consider the concessions a small price to pay, they maintain that their sovereignty is not compromised. The 1951 treaty already grants the U.S. considerable military flexibility on the island, with only one remaining military base for missile defense and radar surveillance in northwest Greenland.

Under the new deal, the U.S. will be allowed to modernize and expand its activities at the Pituffik Space Base, as well as build two additional defense sites on Greenland initially. The agreement also aims to ensure that the U.S. military maintains free movement on and around the Arctic island. It prohibits non-NATO states from establishing military installations in Greenland without the approval of the three parties, and restricts investment from non-NATO or non-partner/EU countries. This addresses Trump's desire to curb China and Russia's influence in the region.