The new defence pact between the United States, Denmark and Greenland represents a new era in the effort to renew and strengthen military defence cooperation in the High North and the political framework that this cooperation is to have in the future. The need for this update has long been evident and pressing. The agreement will also have consequences for Norwegian policy in the High North. Questions that arise are whether the Norwegian side understands the development that is now evident and that forms the background to the United States’ demand for an updated and modernised military presence in the Arctic.
Norway also has defence problems of the kind Greenland has struggled with. These are problems that cannot be solved or compensated for by the EU, but which Norway’s overtures to the EU instead exacerbate on this side of the Atlantic. The increased US presence in Greenland could easily be perceived in Moscow as a challenge calling for increased control over the Barents Sea and the north-eastern Atlantic. Norway can control such a development only by giving the United States an updated role corresponding to the one it has now been given in Greenland. Here, Norway must keep the EU at the greatest possible distance. Norway and the EU do not necessarily have coinciding geopolitical interests.
The agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland is a memorandum of understanding, drawn up in twelve articles and an annex. It has clear objectives of expanding existing defence agreements in order to enable the parties effectively and immediately to exercise their respective and joint responsibilities in Greenland, including defending the NATO area, Greenland and the North American continent. The agreement is not time-limited.
There is nothing in the agreement that places limitations on Greenland’s right to self-government or affects Denmark’s constitutional relationship with Greenland. The United States is free to construct, maintain and further develop necessary defence installations, including unmanned installations, throughout the territory as required and in cooperation with the Greenlandic authorities. The United States has unrestricted access and the right to transport and communication within the territory, including its territorial waters.
The parties’ security authorities are to cooperate in countering espionage in Greenland, and Denmark is to strengthen its efforts for Greenland’s security in cooperation with its NATO allies. No state that is not a member of NATO is to be permitted to establish its own military installations in Greenland or maintain a military presence there.
Given the threat to national security and public order resulting from growing efforts by hostile actors to expand influence and control in Greenland, the parties agree that states, or investors from a state, that is not a member of NATO, a NATO partner or the EU are not to be permitted to have control, significant influence over, or access to non-public information that could pose a threat to national security or public order within sensitive areas or activities in Greenland.
The agreement is not time-limited. Like membership of NATO, its continued validity is to be ensured even in the event that Greenland seeks independence from Denmark. It enters into force once the necessary formal procedures have been completed by the parties.
We find nothing in this agreement that confirms or indicates that the accusations of abuse of power by the United States have any basis in fact. The agreement is very generous on the part of the United States towards Greenlandic society, and Denmark, which with minimal contributions and effort obtains a credible defence pact with the world’s most powerful military power. The reality is that Denmark completely lacks both the economic and military capacity to defend Greenland and thereby fulfil its obligations under the NATO treaty. That problem has now been solved on the initiative of US President Trump.
For Greenlanders, this agreement is all the more valuable because it removes the last and most serious obstacle to national independence. With the United States behind them, Greenlanders can finally make a decision on national independence without fearing hostile interference from great powers whose interests differ from those of Greenlanders’ security and welfare.
Happy national day, Greenland!
