The German government on Monday vehemently rejected US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks suggesting he continues to pursue the goal of bringing Greenland under US control.
“Greenland is an autonomously administered territory that belongs to Denmark,” deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille said in Berlin.
“Borders must not be shifted by force, and territories must not be annexed by force,” he stressed.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US should take control of Greenland, a largely autonomous Danish territory situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, for the sake of national security, a claim he repeated again at the weekend.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he claimed that “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
“Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you.”
Denmark has strongly rejected the claims, alongside Nordic neighbours Sweden, Finland and Norway, as the recent US intervention in Venezuela has sparked concerns regarding the Trump administration’s next moves.
German government spokesman Hille stressed that Germany adheres to the principles of international law as laid down in the UN Charter.
He said Berlin was in close consultation with Denmark and other European partners on all issues relating to Greenland.
“We are clear in our communication with the US in this regard,” he added.
Article 2 of the UN Charter states, “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”
Earlier, the German foreign minister, on a visit to Lithuania, also expressed his full support for Denmark.
Greenland, like the Faroe Islands, is part of the Danish kingdom, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed at a press conference with his Lithuanian counterpart Kęstutis Budrys in Vilnius.
“And since Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland will in principle also have to be defended by NATO,” Wadephul added.
“If there are further requirements to strengthen defence efforts with regard to Greenland, then we will have to discuss this together within the framework of the alliance,” said Wadephul.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Budrys also expressed his country’s full solidarity with Copenhagen, describing Denmark as an important and valued ally.
All questions concerning Greenland should only be discussed within the framework of international law and in the spirit of the allies – “very clearly, very distinctly and without any ulterior motives,” he said.