London: UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has welcomed the Greenland Deal between the United States and Denmark aimed at strengthening security in the Arctic, ahead of an expected first meeting with US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly.
Burnham and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen discussed the agreement during a phone call on Sunday, with Downing Street stating that both leaders welcomed the US commitment to the region and highlighted the strategic importance of the High North to Euro-Atlantic security.
The agreement follows months of tension over Greenland, the semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Trump had previously called for greater US control of Greenland, citing national security and strategic concerns.
Trump stated on Truth Social that the agreement would give the United States permanent control over security and other security-related needs in Greenland. Key details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released.
Downing Street stated that Burnham congratulated Frederiksen and Denmark on negotiating an agreement intended to benefit the United States, Greenland and Denmark. Burnham also indicated that congratulations would be passed on to Trump.
The agreement is expected to be signed during the UN General Assembly in New York next week and will require the necessary parliamentary procedures before entering into force. The latest Greenland Deal is expected to allow an expanded US military presence in Greenland while preventing non-NATO adversaries from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments on the territory without US approval.
The deal is also expected to allow an expanded US military presence in Greenland while preventing non-NATO adversaries from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments on the territory without US approval.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has criticised the agreement, describing it as a ‘pretend’ victory for Trump and arguing that it largely resembles an existing security arrangement.
Greenland has remained at the centre of US-Danish tensions because of its strategic Arctic location and mineral resources. The latest agreement follows Trump’s earlier calls for the United States to take control of the territory.
Burnham is expected to meet Trump in New York during the UN General Assembly. Downing Street has stated that the UK prime minister intends to use the gathering to advance discussions on issues including the cost of living, global stability and the war in Ukraine.
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