Greenland and Denmark agree to move ahead on Thule

SIKU CIRCUMPOLAR NEWS SERVICE

NUUK, GREENLAND – Officials from Denmark and Greenland signed a landmark agreement-in-principle this past Wednesday that will set the stage for an upgrading of Greenland’s Thule air base into a missile defence site.

The deal, signed in the tiny community of Itilleq, the home town of Greenland Prime Minister Hans Enoksen, offers Greenland a much stronger voice in foreign affairs than the Home Rule government previously had.

Greater control for Greenland over foreign affairs and security matters was one of five major points covered in the agreement-in-principle signed by Enoksen and Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller.

The promise of more direct influence for Greenland and more equality between Greenland and Denmark means that when developments affecting Greenland require international negotiations, cabinet ministers from Greenland will sit with Danish government officials at the negotiating table.

Greenland wanted this guarantee before starting any discussions with the U.S. on upgrading Thule.