French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Greenland on Sunday, delivering what he called a “message of solidarity and friendship” from Europe. His visit comes amid ongoing tensions over US President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestions that Washington could take control of the autonomous Danish territory.
Speaking at Nuuk Airport alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Macron underscored Europe’s commitment to the island, which he described as a region of “high strategic importance.”
“It’s important to show that Denmark and Europe are committed to this territory,” Macron said. “Its territorial integrity must be respected. This is not something that should be debated between allies.”
The visit marks the first by a foreign head of state to Greenland since Trump reignited interest in the Arctic island, citing national security concerns and suggesting the U.S. might acquire it — by force if necessary. Denmark has firmly rejected any such idea, insisting that “Greenland is not for sale.”
Macron’s visit follows remarks he made at the United Nations Ocean Conference, where he stressed that Greenland and the planet’s deep seas were “not up for grabs.”
During his six-hour stop in Greenland, Macron planned meetings with both Danish and Greenlandic leaders to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and climate change. He also scheduled a visit to a glacier to observe the local impact of global warming — an issue he said Europe is committed to helping address.
“This visit is an opportunity to reaffirm France’s and the EU’s support for Greenland in meeting its challenges — from education to development and the climate crisis — all while respecting its sovereignty,” Macron stated.
Although Greenland is not a member of the European Union, it is listed as an Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) affiliated with the bloc.
Macron’s trip precedes a scheduled appearance at the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada, where Trump is also expected to attend. The visit is widely seen as part of a broader effort to reinforce European unity and signal resistance to any unilateral moves regarding strategic Arctic regions.
Meanwhile, recent reports in U.S. media have indicated that the Pentagon has developed plans regarding Greenland, including potential forceful acquisition strategies, and that U.S. intelligence services have been instructed to monitor Greenland’s independence movement and natural resources.
While many of Greenland’s 57,000 residents support eventual independence from Denmark, polling suggests they overwhelmingly oppose aligning with the United States.
With input from Al Jazeera
