Maroc - EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 08/Jan 23:50

Europe Reacts To Trump’s Threat To Greenland

By Magnus Lund Nielsen (EurActiv) -- The European Commission on Wednesday did not condemn US President-elect Donald Trump's threats to seize Greenland through military means, while France and Germany issued stronger rebukes. In an eclectic press conference on Tuesday, Trump refused to rule out military coercion to solidify US control of Greenland, having repeated his previous interest in "ownership of the island". Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, making Greenlanders EU citizens. It is de facto part of NATO, and any use of military force on its territory by another NATO ally would be an historic first.  “The sovereignty of states has to be respected,” a Commission spokesperson said on Wednesday addressing Trump's remarks. But pushed to elaborate, incuding to clarify if the EU was “waiting for American marines to land in Greenland” before taking a firmer position, the spokeperson said that “there have been many threats which did not materialise.” Germany and France, meanwhile, have been more unequivocal. “Borders must not be moved by force,” a spokesperson for the German government said on Wednesday.  Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had consulted with several European leaders and European Council President Antonio Costa to reaffirm the inviolability of international law. “A certain lack of understanding was evident among European partners regarding recent statements from the United States,” he told journalists in an impromptu statement on Wednesday. “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it is to the east of us or to the west,” he said. "This cannot and must not be shaken.” Similarly, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told national radio that EU would not tolerate US military intervention. “There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders,” he said.  Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged caution on Tuesday night. “As a very close ally of the United States, I think there is reason to welcome the growing American interest. But it must be done in a way that respects the Greenlandic people,” she told Danish media TV2.  The Greenlandic Prime Minister, Múte Egede, is in Copenhagen on Wednesday to meet with the Danish King Frederik X, Reuters reported. Local media had said on Monday – the day of Donald Trump Jr's surprise visit to Nuuk, the country’s capital – that the meeting was cancelled due to scheduling issues. Egede has expressed a desire to lead Greenland towards independence from Denmark. Last week, the Danish Royal House announced a new version of the king's coat of arms, giving the polar bear, a symbol of the Greenlandic nation, a more central position. Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since the 18th century, gradually gaining more autonomy after World War Two. Nick Alipour in Berlin contributed reporting.