UPDATE - 6 NATO countries join Denmark's call, stressing 'Greenland belongs to its people'

UPDATES WITH NORDIC MINISTERS STATEMENT, CHANGES DECK

By Ilayda Cakirtekin and Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Denmark, along with six NATO countries, issued a joint statement on Greenland, calling for respect for "sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders" after renewed calls from the US for an American takeover of Greenland.

"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the UK said in the statement.

The statement recounted that Arctic security remains a "key priority for Europe," reaffirming that many European allies increased their presence, activities, and investments to keep the region safe.

"Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them," the leaders underscored.

They also noted that the US is an "essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951."

- Nordic countries echo message

The foreign ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden said that as Nordic countries, Arctic states and NATO allies, they were collectively committed to preserving security, stability and cooperation in the Arctic.

"We have all taken steps to increase deterrence and defence in the region, including through new capabilities, activities, presence and increased situational awareness," the ministers said in a statement.

The ministers voiced support for NATO increasing its presence and vigilance in the Arctic, noting that they have substantially raised investments in Arctic security and are prepared to do more in close consultation with the US and other NATO allies.

“Security in the Arctic rests on respect for the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law, including the inviolability of borders,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the governments of Greenland and Denmark have requested talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Greenland’s foreign minister said on US social media company Facebook.

Vivian Motzfeldt said following recent remarks by US President Donald Trump on Greenland, authorities in the autonomous Danish territory and in Copenhagen contacted the US State Department.

Motzfeldt said they requested a meeting with Rubio in the near future, adding that Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen is also expected to take part in the talks.

She noted that despite earlier requests to meet Rubio, such a meeting has not yet taken place.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to take control of Greenland, a self-governing territory within Denmark, and has not ruled out doing so with military force.

A day after the US military operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro, Trump on Sunday renewed his calls for an American takeover of Greenland for the sake of US security interests.

Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to “stop the threats.”

Several European countries, as well as the EU, voiced strong support for Denmark and Greenland on Monday, rejecting any suggestion that the island’s future could be decided by outside powers and stressing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.