The European Union avoids addressing inquiries regarding Donald Trump's proposed invasion of Greenland.
The European Commission on Wednesday navigated inquiries regarding U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about his interest in acquiring Greenland.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump did not dismiss the possibility of employing military force to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal, asserting that the United States required these territories for its "economic security."
At its press briefing on Wednesday, the Commission sought to avoid escalating tensions, stating that it "will not delve into the specifics" of Trump's statements. Commission representatives faced persistent and intense questioning concerning the institution's potential response should the United States launch an attack on Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark.
It is evident that the sovereignty of nations must be upheld, stated Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper, who also expressed anticipation for collaboration with the forthcoming U.S. administration to foster “a more robust transatlantic agenda.”
This statement did not satisfy the journalists present, prompting a series of inquiries regarding the matter, with one reporter drawing parallels to the period leading up to Russia's extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Prior to that, for several months, the Commission, the EEAS, and diplomats from various member states were asserting that an invasion was merely a hypothetical situation, indicating that intervention was unnecessary,” remarked David Carretta, a correspondent for Italian Radio Radicale.
“What President Trump articulated yesterday constituted a military threat to a member state, which is indeed tangible: He is the president-elect of the most influential nation globally. Are you aware of the potential risks?” he further questioned.
Although Greenland is not a member of the EU, it is categorized as an “Overseas Territory associated with the EU.” Of the nearly 57,000 residents on the vast, resource-rich island, only about 2,000 are non-Danish, indicating that the majority of the population comprises EU citizens.
While the Commission affirmed that any military action against Greenland would trigger the EU's mutual assistance clause as outlined in Article 42(7) of the Treaty, it declined to comment on whether it perceives a genuine risk of the U.S. invading Denmark's overseas territory, labeling the scenario as “very theoretical.”
Trump's initial remarks on Tuesday elicited a significant response from France, where the foreign minister asserted that the European Union would not permit any nation to infringe upon its sovereign borders.
However, this message was not entirely evident in the press room in Brussels.
"You assert that sovereignty is of utmost importance, yet you refrain from commenting on a rather blatant threat from the incoming president of the United States. I find it difficult to comprehend your position; what exactly are you anticipating?" inquired Nicholas Wallace from Euractiv, receiving no definitive answer.
"Are you expecting American marines to land in Greenland or something similar?" he further questioned.
Post a Comment