Denmark backed by European NATO countries as Greenlandthreat rises

""Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland, the statement said.""

""Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security. "NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are stepping up. "We and many other allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.""

""Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders," the leaders said. "These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.""

Seven NATO member states joined Denmark in saying that Greenland and Denmark alone have the right to decide Greenland's future and that the United States must abide by alliance rules. The statement was signed by leaders of Denmark, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. The leaders affirmed that sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders are universal principles that will be defended. Arctic security was described as a key priority for Europe and crucial to international and transatlantic security. NATO allies have increased presence, activities and investments to keep the Arctic safe and deter adversaries. The leaders said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively within NATO.

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