Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Monday that it was significant that US President Donald Trump recognized Greenland's right to self-determination, despite confirming his interest in acquiring the island in his speech to Congress, Reuters reports, BTA reports.
In his speech, Trump presented a vision of prosperity and security for the people of Greenland - an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, which he wants to join the United States.
According to sociological surveys, most Greenlanders oppose the idea of joining the United States, although the majority supports independence from Denmark. Copenhagen, for its part, says the island's future should be determined by the Greenlanders themselves and that "Greenland is not for sale."
"Trump said that the United States respects the right of Greenlanders to self-determination, and that, in my opinion, is the most important part of his speech," Rasmussen said at a press conference in Helsinki. He stressed that Denmark and Greenland share interests with the United States in Arctic security.