By Terje Solsvik and Kanishka Singh
OSLO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Denmark agreed on Friday to debate the Arctic area with Washington, International Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen mentioned, after his first cellphone name with the highest diplomat of the administration of President Donald Trump, who desires management of Greenland.
Rasmussen and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a 20-minute dialog in a “good and constructive tone”, discussing Ukraine, European safety and the scenario within the Center East, the Danish International Ministry mentioned in an announcement.
The State Division mentioned late on Friday that Rubio had “reaffirmed the strength of the relationship” between the 2 international locations within the name.
Trump has expressed an curiosity in making Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, a part of the US. He has not dominated out utilizing army or financial energy to steer Denmark handy it over.
Greenland’s strategic location alongside the shortest route from Europe to North America, important for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system, has made it a precedence for Trump.
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, on Jan. 15 mentioned she had spoken on the cellphone with Trump and instructed him that it’s as much as Greenland itself to determine on any independence.
The Monetary Occasions reported on Friday that final week’s name between Frederiksen and Trump was fiery, with Trump insisting he was severe about his dedication to take over Greenland. The paper cited European officers. Trump took workplace on Jan. 20.
“Arctic safety was not on the agenda, however it was agreed that will probably be mentioned between the US, Denmark and Greenland at a later date, the Danish ministry mentioned on Friday.
Greenland’s prime minister, Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has repeatedly mentioned the island isn’t on the market and that it’s as much as its individuals to determine their future.
Whereas Trump had aired the opportunity of taking on Greenland in 2019, throughout his first time period within the White Home, his refusal to rule out the usage of army or financial energy has caught many Danes without warning.
