Greenlandic politician critical of Danish crisis meeting

TT

Updated 20.15 | Published 19.37

 

 

Vivian Motzfeldt, responsible for foreign affairs in the Greenlandic self-government, wants to see an immediate meeting with the US Secretary of State. Archive photo.1 / 2Photo: Rune Stoltz Bertinussen/NTB/TT

Greenlandic politicians are critical of not being invited to the crisis meeting on Greenland's relationship with the US.

At the same time, they, together with Denmark, are demanding a quick meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"The aim of the meeting is to discuss the important statements made by the US about Greenland," writes Vivian Motzfeldt, responsible for foreign affairs in the Greenlandic self-government, in a post on social media.

The Danish crisis meeting on the relationship with the US is taking place on Tuesday evening behind closed doors at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. No representatives from the Greenlandic parliament are present, which has led to sharp criticism from Greenlandic politician Pipaluk Lynge.

“Greenland should be there and have its voice heard,” she tells TT by phone from Nuuk.

Extraordinary meeting

Members of the Danish Parliament have been summoned at short notice to the extraordinary meeting of the parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee (UPN). The meeting, which deals with the Kingdom of Denmark’s relationship with the United States, is being attended by several members of the Parliament, including Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Pipaluk Lynge, chair of Greenland’s Foreign and Security Policy Committee (USPU), believes that it is beyond criticism that she is not invited.

“They are holding a historic meeting about us, without us.” We have been asking to be part of these meetings for several years, yet we are being shut out, she says, emphasizing that the situation is serious after US President Donald Trump's new statement about Greenland.

"Several reasons"

Christian Friis Bach (V) is chairman of UPN and tells Danmarks Radio (DR) that there are several reasons why Greenlandic government members are not invited to the meeting.

- It is a meeting where the Danish government briefs Danish politicians. I have made an effort to ensure that Greenlandic members of parliament receive an update from their government at the same time. It is important that we have common ground, he tells DR on the way to the meeting.

At the same time, he understands the criticism and emphasizes that he wants to strengthen cooperation.

- There is extreme pressure on Greenland right now and the Danish Commonwealth. I understand the frustration, about the press, the American position and the Danish government.