Greenland Approves Defense Agreement with the US

 

TT-Ritzau

 

Published 19.09

 

US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenland’s Head of Government Jens-Frederik Nielsen at the ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York, where the agreement was signed in late September. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/TT

Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, has voted in favor of the security and defense agreement with the United States, according to Danish media.

A majority in the Greenlandic parliament voted to approve the agreement on Tuesday. 16 members voted in favor, 0 voted against, and 7 abstained.

The agreement, which will only take effect once it has been formally approved by both Greenland and Denmark, was signed in New York in late September.

It builds upon a 1951 defense agreement and includes provisions allowing the US to establish two new military bases in Greenland, while simultaneously recognizing the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination.

The Danish Parliament (Folketinget) is set to vote on the agreement on November 19.