France and Canadatwo countries that oppose the plans of the president of USA, donald trumpto take control of Greenlandopened their consulates this Friday in Nuuk, the capital of this Danish autonomous territory, in a clear recognition of the local government.
“It is a very important day for our country, because today we inaugurate the consulate here in Nuuk,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Anita Anandduring an event in which the Canadian flag was raised.
The new consul general of France, Jean-Noël Poirierarrived in Nuuk on Friday to officially assume his duties. The diplomat met with the Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
“The political dimension of the opening of this position is real. It is even quite evident, given the current events of these last few months, this last year,” Poirier said during a press conference.
President Trump and the Secretary General of the NATO, Mark Rutterecently announced a “framework” with a view to an agreement on the future of the Arctic island, whose contours are still unclear.
Denmark and GreenlandFor their part, they reject any concession on sovereignty, a position that received the support of European countries.
The French decision had already been announced in June during a visit by the president, Emmanuel Macronto Nuuk.
Canada, meanwhile, indicated at the end of 2024 that it would open a consulate general in the immense Arctic territory to consolidate cooperation with the Greenlanders.
The consulates will depend on the respective embassies of France and Canada in Copenhagen.
For Greenlandic diplomacy, the opening of consulates is also “the opportunity to train for independence by maintaining direct relations,” says Jeppe Strandsbjerg, a political scientist at the University of Greenland.
“The Greenlanders will think, within the framework of their own quest for sovereignty, of having more direct contacts with other European countries,” says Christine Nissen, an analyst at the Europa think tank and an expert on security and defense issues.
Greenland has diplomatic representations in the European Union since 1992, in Washington since 2014 and in Reykjavík since 2017.
In Nuuk, Iceland opened its consulate general in 2013 and the United States in 2020. Between 1940 and 1953, the Americans had a first consulate in the peaceful Greenlandic capital.
The European Commission in turn opened an office in 2024.
