Photo: James Brooks / AP (Oct. 29 archive)
Greenland’s parliament voted Tuesday to ratify a security agreement with the United States and Denmark, approving a larger American military role on the Arctic island while leaving one major step unfinished: ratification by the Danish parliament.
The vote was 16 in favor, none against and seven abstentions, Reuters reported. Danish broadcaster DR separately reported the same result, following a contentious debate in Nuuk.
The September agreement between Washington, Copenhagen and Greenland paves the way for two new U.S. military bases and President Donald Trump’s proposed Golden Dome missile defense system. It also reaffirms Danish sovereignty and Greenlanders’ right to self-determination. Greenland is a self-governing Danish territory.
Danish approval still required
Tuesday’s decision does not mean the agreement is already in force, that the proposed bases have been built or that the United States has purchased or annexed Greenland. The executive agreement requires ratification by both Greenland and Denmark before taking effect, according to Reuters. It does not require approval by the U.S. Senate.
The Danish parliament is expected to vote on Nov. 19, Reuters reported. Until that remaining approval is secured, Greenland’s vote represents an important parliamentary step rather than the completion of the process.
The deal followed months of tensions over Trump’s demands to take control of the strategically located, mineral-rich island. Reuters reported that the White House said in January that Trump was discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including the possible use of the U.S. military, alarming European governments and prompting diplomatic efforts to defuse the dispute.
Opposition questions economic benefit
Greenlandic Foreign Minister Mute Egede told lawmakers before Tuesday’s vote that ratifying the agreement was an important step for the island.
“We must accept that peace and stability are no longer something we can take for granted,” Egede said, according to Reuters.
Naleraq, the prominent pro-independence opposition party, questioned what Greenland would gain economically. Party chair Pele Broberg said lawmakers were seeking a better agreement that would benefit a future independent state, but argued that the current deal had delivered no economic benefit, Reuters reported.
DR described an earlier dispute during the parliamentary meeting over whether Naleraq had disclosed information from a confidential committee session. Naleraq disputed that allegation. Despite the disruption, lawmakers proceeded to the ratification vote. The result settles Greenland’s parliamentary decision on the pact, while the Danish approval process remains pending.
JBizNews Desk | Copenhagen
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