Any decisions concerning the future status of Greenland, or its relations within the Kingdom of Denmark, may be taken "only by the people of Greenland and the people of Denmark", the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has said.
This is part of a resolution following a debate on "Threats against the international order: the case of Greenland". Bertrand Bouyx (France, ALDE) produced the report on which the debate was based. Lawmakers said that recent US threats against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark - a Council of Europe member state - were a "fundamental challenge" to the international order.
Europe shows resolve
"Recent public statements suggesting the acquisition, control, or transfer of territory challenge established international norms," parliamentarians said. "Even when framed as hypothetical or strategic, such statements risk undermining respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and contribute to a climate in which pressure and transactional logic are normalised."
The Parliamentary Assembly welcomed the "strong resolve and united response of European states" in support of Greenland and Denmark in response to these threats. The deep links between Europe and the US have generated mutual dependencies which are sustainable "only on the basis of trust, predictability and respect for commonly agreed rules and values", it added.
Finally, the parliamentarians urged stronger Arctic security as well as greater political engagement and funding for Greenland and Denmark's security and institutions.
Denmark and the Council of Europe
