Greenland’s parliament backs security deal with US and Denmark

Greenland’s parliament approved the agreement on 3 November by 16 votes to none, with seven members abstaining, according to the Associated Press.

The agreement builds on a 1951 defence treaty and allows the US to establish two additional military bases in Greenland, according to Danish news agency Ritzau. It also reaffirms the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark and recognises Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.

US President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the agreement in New York on 22 September. It followed months of pressure from Trump, who had repeatedly called for the self-governing island to become part of the United States.

Denmark’s parliament is scheduled to vote on the agreement on 19 November. Ritzau reported that, after approval by both parliaments, the agreement can take effect once the US receives diplomatic notification.

Greenland’s opposition party Naleraq had called for a referendum on the agreement and criticised it on the grounds that Greenland would not profit from it, Ritzau reported.