Greenland Parliament approves US and Denmark security pact

Greenlandic residents now face a formalized expansion of American military presence on their island. The local parliament in Nuuk voted 16 to 0 on Monday to ratify a security agreement with the United States and Denmark. Seven lawmakers abstained from the vote. This approval follows the signing of the deal in September.

The agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The signing took place in New York during the United Nations General Assembly. The deal formalizes months of negotiations that occurred while President Trump publicly suggested a desire to take control of the island.

The pact allows the United States to build more military bases in Greenland. It also permits the modernization and expansion of operations at Pituffik Space Base in the northwest. This remote installation will see increased infrastructure under the new terms. The framework is designed to strengthen defense cooperation in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.

Greenland remains under Danish sovereignty according to the document. However, the terms are written to stay in effect even if the island eventually declares full independence. This clause ensures continuity in the security arrangement regardless of future political changes. The agreement requires Danish parliamentary approval before it enters into force.

Danish lawmakers are scheduled to debate the agreement later this month. The United States does not need Senate approval for the deal to take effect. This difference in process may streamline the final ratification stages. Greenlandic Foreign Minister Mute Egede called the ratification a milestone for the self-governing island.

In a social media post, Egede acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiation process for the population. He stated, “The road to this point has been a difficult one for us as a people. But we have stood firm on our fundamental principles, chosen dialogue and taken responsibility for our country’s interests.” He added that the deal concerns the security and future autonomy of the region.

Greenland is the world’s largest island, located between Europe and North America. It is home to approximately 57,000 people. The island’s strategic location and natural resources have drawn geopolitical interest. Last year, Trump’s refusal to rule out a military invasion raised concerns among residents. Opinion polls showed that a majority of people rejected the idea of US control.