Round 85% of Greenlanders don’t wish to change into a part of the US, a brand new ballot has discovered, as Denmark’s prime minister shored up help for its present standing.
It comes after Donald Trump mentioned the Arctic island was important to US safety and Denmark ought to quit management of its semi-autonomous territory.
On Tuesday, Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned political leaders in Europe and past have given full backing for its management of the island.
“The clear message from friends in the Nordic countries and Europe, and also outside Europe, is that there must of course be respect for territories and the sovereignty of states,” she mentioned.
“This is crucial for the international community we have built together since the Second World War.”
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Why does Trump need Greenland?
In the meantime, Denmark has introduced it can spend £1.6bn on boosting its navy presence within the Arctic.
Greenland – with a land mass bigger than Mexico and a inhabitants of 57,000 – was granted broad self-governing autonomy in 2009, together with the proper to declare independence from Denmark by means of a referendum.
Greenland 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 folks to resolve their future.
The US navy has a everlasting presence on the Pituffik Area Base within the northwest of the island – a strategic location for its ballistic missile early-warning system.