The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the head of the Greenlandic government Jens-Frederik Nielsen have flown to New York to sign an agreement announced on Friday between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States.
Denmark and Greenland confirmed on Friday evening that they had reached an understanding with the US regarding security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, which is set to be signed in the coming days at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Frederiksen shared a photo taken on the plane on her Instagram social network, writing: 'I am flying to New York. This will be an important moment. And I look forward to a good agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States.'
The Danish Prime Minister stated that in recent days and weeks, she has maintained close contact with her colleagues from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as partners in the European Union (EU) and NATO, to inform them about the agreement, the details of which have not yet been disclosed.
Before flying, Frederiksen told the Danish public broadcaster DR that she would meet with US President Donald Trump in New York, noting that she maintains 'excellent relations' with this leader.
'In a world experiencing turbulence, I believe this agreement will positively affect our security. Both from a European perspective and from the perspective of the kingdom, as well as from the perspective of NATO,' emphasized the head of state, who is expected to be met by her Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in New York.
Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, president of the military committee of the Atlantic Alliance, stated in Copenhagen on Saturday that the 'agreement is very welcome.'
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the head of the Greenlandic government, who is also flying to New York today accompanied by Foreign Minister Mute B. Egede, wrote: 'It has been a difficult time for many people in our country, and I know there has been much worry and fear about what might happen (...)'
He added while flying over the Atlantic: 'I think of all of you back home. Of families, children, youth, and the elderly. Of everyone who has been following the situation and worrying about what the future may bring.' Nielsen concluded by expressing hope that 'we can now find a little more peace.'
Neither Frederiksen nor Nielsen disclosed the exact day the agreement will be signed, as the full text has not yet been published by either party.
It is known only that the agreement guarantees the US a permanent role in ensuring Greenland's security and prohibits any opponent of Washington from having a military presence or unauthorized investments on the island.
According to Washington, the pact gives the US the ability to 'do whatever is necessary in Greenland' to ensure the security of the island and the US, including a permanent presence and flight rights, and allows for an increase in the number of American bases if necessary.
Currently, the US has only the Pituffik Space Force base (formerly Thule base) on the island, after decades of reducing its presence, although Danish authorities noted that this policy was a decision made by Washington.
The 1951 defense agreement, amended in 2004 to include Greenland, already grants the US broad powers to establish new defense zones on the Arctic island.
Last year, Trump repeatedly threatened to take control of Greenland, even considering the use of force, which caused alarm in Denmark and among NATO allies.