European leaders have issued a joint statement reaffirming Greenland’s status as part of the Kingdom of Denmark and warning that Arctic security has become a central issue for Europe and the transatlantic alliance.
The statement, released on January 6 and signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom and Denmark, underscores growing concern over strategic competition in the Arctic region. The leaders described Arctic security as a priority not only for Europe but for international stability, stressing that developments in the far north now carry global consequences.
According to the statement, NATO has formally recognised the Arctic as a key strategic theatre, prompting European allies to expand their presence, activities and investments in the region. The leaders said these steps are aimed at keeping the Arctic safe and deterring hostile actions. They also reaffirmed that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is a full member of NATO.
The statement emphasised that security in the Arctic must be pursued collectively, in close cooperation with NATO allies, including the United States. The leaders said such cooperation must be grounded in the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. They described these principles as universal and non-negotiable.
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The United States was described as an essential partner in Arctic defence, both as a NATO ally and through the longstanding defence agreement signed with Denmark in 1951. The leaders highlighted this agreement as a cornerstone of transatlantic security cooperation in the region.
In a clear political message, the statement concluded by affirming that Greenland belongs to its people. It stressed that decisions concerning Greenland can only be made by Denmark and Greenland themselves, rejecting any external claims or influence over the territory’s future.
The joint declaration comes amid heightened geopolitical attention on the Arctic, driven by climate change, new shipping routes and competition over natural resources, factors that have increasingly drawn major powers into the region.
