Macron to visit Greenland in display of European unity

PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Greenland on June 15 and meet both Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, his presidency said in a statement on Saturday.

The talks between the leaders will focus on North Atlantic and Arctic security, climate change, energy transition and critical minerals, the French presidency added.

As a display of European unity amid US threats to annex the mineral-rich Arctic territory, Macron will visit Greenland together with Frederiksen.

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In this connection, a press release from Frederiksen’s office says, “The President of the Greenlandic Parliament Jens-Frederik Nielsen will host French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen when they visit Greenland on June 15, 2025.”

THE TRUMP PRESSURE

“The three heads of government will focus on security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, but will also have the opportunity to discuss a number of other topics such as economic development, climate change and energy.”

At the same time, the press release highlights “the great international support” for Greenland and Denmark – an obvious reference to US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex the resource-rich territory.

“It has been encouraging to experience the great international support for Greenland and the Kingdom [of Denmark] in the difficult foreign policy situation in recent months,” says the Danish prime minister.

“President Macron’s upcoming visit to Greenland is yet another concrete testament to European unity. I look forward to discussing the security situation and other important issues with the President of the Greenland Government and President Macron.”

THE INVITATION

Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, during her visit to Paris in May, had extended an an official invitation to Macron.

Motzfeldt had arrived in France to express gratitude for the country’s support amid significant pressure from Trump. At that time, France had signalled its willingness to deploy troops to Greenland if the Kingdom of Denmark requested it.

This offer was part of a broader European initiative to reinforce Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland and counteract Trump’s expressed interest in acquiring the territory.