WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The leaders of the United States, Denmark and Greenland have signed an agreement aimed at strengthening the security of Greenland, Arctic and NATO, as well as expanding the foothold of U.S. military in the strategic Arctic island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, her Greenlandic counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen and U.S. President Donald Trump signed the deal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York Tuesday.
The agreement does not grant the U.S. ownership or sovereignty over Greenland but at the same time guarantees the United States lasting control over security interests in the semi-autonomous Danish island region.
Trump's repeated threats to acquire the mineral rich territory through military or economic force had triggered a diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and Denmark in January.
The tripartite deal resolves the key point of contention among the transatlantic allies.
The landmark agreement includes permanent basing rights, and bars any U.S. adversary from establishing a base, military presence, or sensitive investment without Washington's approval.
'This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody,' Trump said before signing the agreement, and added, 'And for Greenland, it's going to be incredible.'
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, 'This day represents a milestone in our longstanding cooperation. 75 years ago, we entered into an agreement about the defense of Greenland. Today, we are signing an even bigger and better agreement - a deal that can last forever. This deal is good for the United States, it's good for Greenland, for Denmark, for the NATO alliance, and therefore, also good for Europe. In other words, we are strengthening our common security, boosting our common deterrence, showing our adversaries who we are - and we are doing it together.'
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen vowed that his country will remain a steadfast friend of the United States and a part of the Western alliance.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, 'the EU will work closely with Denmark and Greenland and our international partners.'
The agreement allows the U.S. to modernize and expand its activities at the Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland, and to establish an additional defense base at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.
It also permits US aircraft to fly over and land anywhere in Greenland, including its territorial waters while also granting 'undersea access'.
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