Greenland is not for sale,' lawmaker says amid Trump's escalating threats

"Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish parliament representing Greenland, welcomed talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish and Greenlandic officials expected to take place next week. I think it's going to be very important to find solutions, she told Al Jazeera on Thursday. But Chemnitz stressed that Greenland's position on its autonomy remains unchanged. Greenland is not for sale, and Greenland never will be for sale, she said."

"Since taking office in January of last year, Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take over Greenland, stressing the island's strategic importance in the Arctic region. We need Greenland from a national security situation. It's so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, the US president told reporters on Sunday."

"On Tuesday, the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden stressed their commitment to preserving security, stability and co-operation in the Arctic. Security in the Arctic rests on respect for the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, including the inviolability of borders, the ministers said in a joint statement. We collectively reiterate that matters concerning Denmark and Greenland are for Denmark and Greenland to decide alone."

Talks between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Danish and Greenlandic officials are expected next week. The United States has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing the island's strategic Arctic importance and national security concerns, including reported presence of Russian and Chinese ships. Greenlandic leaders maintain firm commitment to autonomy and categorically reject any sale of the territory. Denmark and the foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden reaffirm commitment to Arctic security, stability and cooperation, uphold the UN Charter and international law, and assert that matters concerning Denmark and Greenland are for Denmark and Greenland to decide alone.

Read at www.aljazeera.com