The new cooperation on better surveillance in the North Atlantic between Denmark, Canada, Germany and Norway will strengthen Greenland’s security, says Naalakkersuisoq’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt.
NATO countries held their annual summit in The Hague on Wednesday. During the meeting, Denmark, Canada, Germany and Norway signed a cooperation agreement on improved surveillance in the North Atlantic.
The collaboration will ensure increased monitoring of the seas around Greenland and improve basic Arctic education in Kangerlussuaq.
After the US president has repeatedly expressed his desire to gain a foothold in Greenland, NATO countries have acknowledged that the monitoring of Greenland is insufficient, Vivian Motzfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research, told KNR:
– When you look at recent events, it is clear that the development of the defense of Greenland has not been satisfactory, and that is of course not good for our country.
The agreement contains provisions to ensure the assertion of sovereignty over our land and maritime areas.
– It is not only about our seas, but also about airspace, air transport and monitoring of our territory and presence in the Arctic.
The agreement also contains elements that Greenland itself has wanted, says the minister.
– Our greatest wish has been the start of the Arctic basic education, where it is especially important that students from Greenland are at the center. In addition, we have now opened ourselves up much more to the rest of the world as a result of the airport project in this country.
– Therefore, our wish has been that increased monitoring of airports, ports and our energy infrastructure should be carried out with the participation of Greenlanders who are educated in this country and already work in the sector.
More patrol ships in sight
According to the Danish National Encyclopedia, for example, the Greenland Sea alone covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers.
This huge area is not fully covered militarily, but that will change in the future through support from NATO countries, says Vivian Motzfeldt.
– The most important thing is that the countries we have entered into agreements with will increasingly deploy equipment and preparedness that will also be visible in the Arctic and contribute to the protection of our waters and coastal areas.
The Ministry of Defense has recently announced that Denmark has decided to invest 14.6 billion kroner in increased presence and surveillance in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.