European Commission President Plans to Visit Greenland in March

Moscow (ANTARA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is planning to visit Greenland in March together with several commissioners to announce a support package for the island amid United States claims, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

Discussions regarding the visit are still ongoing, and details including the date may change, the report said on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the island, which forms part of the Kingdom of Denmark, should become part of the United States.

The governments of Denmark and Greenland have warned Washington against seizing the island, whilst emphasising their expectation that their territorial integrity be respected.

Greenland’s Deputy Parliamentary Speaker, Bentiaraq Ottosen, affirmed in January that Greenland is not for sale, and that any attempt to discuss the possible transfer of control of the island to the United States is unacceptable.

“I believe what US President Donald Trump is doing regarding Greenland today is inappropriate, because Greenland is not a commodity. This is very difficult to accept for the people of Greenland, as well as for Danish citizens living in Greenland and in the Kingdom of Denmark,” Ottosen said.

According to him, pressure from the United States is causing serious unease among the island’s residents.

Many are concerned that Greenland could fall under the control of an outside party, he said.

He stressed that although relations with the US are friendly and a free trade agreement exists, such statements from the US undermine the sense of security felt by Greenland’s population.

Source: Sputnik/RIA Novosti