Leaders of the European Parliament have voiced firm and united support for Greenland and Denmark, sending a clear message that any challenge to their sovereignty is
unacceptable under international law.
On Wednesday, the Conference of Presidents adopted a strong statement reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based international order. The statement underlines that any attempt to undermine the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland would constitute a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.
The European Parliament stressed that security in the Arctic is a strategic priority for the EU. While defence considerations are central, lawmakers highlighted that the EU’s Arctic Strategy also focuses on sustainable development, environmental protection and closer cooperation with the people living in the region.
MEPs recalled that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is a member of NATO and benefits fully from the Alliance’s collective defence guarantees. Within this context, the Parliament pledged to continue strengthening European defence capabilities and to ensure that EU Member States meet their NATO commitments, including sustained investment in defence and a strong presence in the Arctic.
The statement also emphasised that Arctic security is ensured through NATO frameworks, with Denmark maintaining agreements with key partners, including the United States, to safeguard the region. Decisions regarding Denmark and Greenland, MEPs stressed, rest exclusively with Denmark and Greenland, in line with constitutional arrangements and bilateral agreements between the two.
Looking to history, the Parliament recalled the 1916 agreement in which the United States formally recognised Denmark’s full sovereignty over Greenland. On that basis, lawmakers warned that any external attempts to alter the current status of Greenland are unacceptable.
In particularly strong language, the European Parliament condemned past statements by the Trump administration concerning Greenland, describing them as a blatant challenge to international law, the UN Charter and the sovereignty of a NATO ally. Such remarks, MEPs said, have no place in relations between democratic partners.
Finally, the Parliament called on the European Commission and the European Council to define concrete and tangible measures to support Greenland and Denmark, in full respect of EU principles, international law and the NATO Charter.