On a historic visit to Nuuk on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will open a consulate general in the capital.
– France has decided to open a consulate general here in Nuuk, to be closer to you, said French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference at Kolonihavnen in Nuuk, side by side with the Chairman of the Greenlandic Parliament Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
– You are not alone. We will stand with you, believe me, he continued.
During the press conference, Emmanuel Macron emphasized several times that the EU – like France – stands side by side with Greenland.
side by side with Greenland
He also took the opportunity to criticize the ambitions of others to buy or take over the island, stating:
– Greenland can neither be bought nor taken.
A historic visit
The visit is the first of its kind from a French president and comes in the wake of American statements about Greenland’s strategic importance.
Mette Frederiksen called Macron’s visit an underlining of European unity, while Jens-Frederik Nielsen thanked for the clear support during a difficult time.
Emmanuel Macron ended the press conference with the words:
– Long live Greenland, long live Denmark, long live our friendship, long live Europe.