NATO is briefed on security measures in the Arctic during the meeting with the NATO summit today. This was stated by Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen (V) during a press conference on Monday after he and Naalakkersuisoq's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt (S) met with Kaja Kallas and Mark Rutte at NATO.
Denmark and Greenland have proposed a NATO mission in the Arctic to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, says Troels Lund Poulsen after the meeting.
- I would like to emphasize the importance of security in the Arctic. I am happy to say that we stand side by side in this difficult situation. NATO's Secretary General is also fully convinced that there are ongoing initiatives in the Arctic to ensure security in the Arctic, says Troels Lund Poulsen.
Vivian Motzfeldt emphasizes that both Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, and NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, are aware that security is taken seriously.
- It has been a long and good meeting. Both Kaja Kallas and Mark Rutte are aware that we are taking the situation seriously and that security in the Arctic is taken seriously in the Commonwealth. I would like to assure you that the dialogue is ongoing and remind you that a working group is being initiated to solve the challenges that have arisen around security issues in the Arctic, she says.
Various details discussed
At the press conference, Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen says that the meeting with Mark Rutte has been good, and a number of different details have been discussed:
- This matter is so tense, not only in relation to the Commonwealth but also in relation to Europe and the future of NATO, so I don't think there is any need to stand and review what we have discussed. But we are experiencing a Secretary General who is very aware of the difficult situation that both the Commonwealth is facing, and for that matter also the challenges in NATO, says Troels Lund Poulsen.
- We must insist on the path that was laid last week in the form of a dialogue with the Americans, although I am well aware that it also has some difficulties, he continues.
Vivian Motzfeldt emphasizes that the doors remain open when it comes to cooperation with, among others, the United States:
- I would like to emphasize that the doors remain open when it comes to cooperation. When we talk about security in the Arctic, we cannot avoid America. America's security is also our security. Greenland's security is also America's security. We have already established a working group to ensure solutions in this crisis, and we are keeping the doors open for dialogue through the right channels, says Vivian Motzfeldt.
The situation extends far beyond the Commonwealth.
Troels Lund Poulsen believes that the matter is no longer just about the Kingdom of Denmark:
"This is about security in Europe, and it is extremely tense. That is why I note that Mark Rutte has put a lot of effort into listening to us," he says.
Troels Lund Poulsen says that the United States is necessary for security in Europe, but he also says that some of the statements coming from President Donald Trump are "really, really hurtful."
