Greenland's territorial integrity and right to self-determination are grounded in international law and cannot be ignored, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Tuesday.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland.
Trump said on Monday that the United States remains interested in Greenland and needs the territory for national security.
Nielsen said on Monday that the appointment of a special envoy to Greenland would not change anything for the territory. He said Greenland's future would be determined by Greenland itself, adding that the island belongs to its people and that its territorial integrity must be respected.
Pia Olsen Dyhr, chairman of Denmark's Socialist People's Party (Green Left), said on Monday that the appointment indicated a renewed U.S. attempt to annex Greenland, creating a sense of insecurity and uncertainty.
She called on Europe to do everything possible to prevent Trump's plan to purchase Greenland.
Greenland, a former Danish colony, was granted home rule in 1979. In 2009, Denmark passed the Act on Greenland Self-Government, expanding the island's authority over its domestic affairs. However, Denmark retains authority over Greenland’s foreign, defense and security policy, according to information on the Danish Prime Minister’s Office website.
The United States maintains a military base in Greenland. Since taking office this year, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to take over the island and has said he would not rule out the use of military force to acquire it -- remarks that have drawn condemnation and opposition from people in Denmark and Greenland.
Greenland's territorial integrity "cannot be ignored": Greenland PM
