“Europeans have a particular responsibility because this territory belongs to the European Union. We already have a military team there, which will soon be reinforced by land, air, and sea assets,” he said, without mentioning the US threat, while delivering his New Year’s message to the army from the southern town of Istres.
Earlier, the president had confirmed the arrival in Greenland of a group of French soldiers, at least fifteen, to participate alongside countries such as Germany, Norway, and Sweden in the Arctic Endurance exercise, designed to support Danish sovereignty over the ice-covered island rich in natural resources.
“We Europeans have a particular responsibility, because this territory belongs to the European Union. We already have a military team there, which will soon be reinforced by land, air, and sea assets.”
Macron pointed out that Greenland, in addition to being an EU member, is also part of NATO, which explains Paris’s concerns about US President Donald Trump’s hostile stance toward an ally that is also a member of the Atlantic Alliance.
Since returning to the White House a year ago, Trump has made control of the enormous Danish island a top priority, citing vital Washington interests and alleged ambitions of China and Russia in the Arctic.
In his claim, he has even considered the use of force to achieve his objective, although his inner circle seems to favor options such as purchasing the coveted territory.
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