The Nationalist Party has said that attacks on Greenland’s sovereignty are both unacceptable and against the most fundamental principles of international relations, as the party asked for the matter to be discussed by Parliament’s Committee for Foreign and European Affairs.
United States President Donald Trump has made his ambitions of taking over the autonomous Danish territory clear, suggesting that he would stop at nothing – he didn’t even exclude military action – at bringing Greenland under US rule.
“Recent statements attacking the sovereignty of Greenland, a territory of Denmark, call into question a basic and critically important principle of international law: the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a country – which in this case is also, like Malta, a member of the European Union,” the PN’s leader Alex Borg said in a video message.
“Such rhetoric is therefore completely unacceptable and violates the fundamental principles governing international relations,” Borg said.
The message was posted on social media just hours before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs meets on Wednesday afternoon to discuss several international issues.
In light of this, the PN Leader instructed Opposition members on the Committee to place this issue on the agenda of today’s meeting. He also called on the Government to support the Opposition and to deliver a message in favour of sovereignty and respect for international law.
In his message, the Leader of the Opposition further stated that the future of Greenland must be decided solely and exclusively by its own people, in full conformity with the constitutional and legal framework governing its relationship with Denmark. This must take place peacefully and democratically, within the rule of law and the principle of self-determination of peoples. Any pressure, threats or interference by any other country constitute an unacceptable abuse, he said.
The PN Leader added that Europe and the international community, at this moment as decisive as it is delicate, must stand firm and continue to uphold the principles established by the United Nations regarding absolute respect for the sovereignty of states and their territorial integrity.
“This applies in particular to transatlantic relations. Threats, pressure or attempts at intimidation – whether on trade issues or matters of sovereignty – certainly do not serve cooperation between nations and therefore cannot be tolerated,” Borg said.
“Strong relationships must be built on mutual respect, responsible diplomacy and adherence to international law. This has long been the case between Europe and the United States of America, particularly since the end of the Second World War. Transatlantic cooperation grounded in these principles has delivered common benefit and stability, not only regionally but globally, for generations. It is precisely this type of cooperation which, in an increasingly globalised world facing ever-emerging challenges, needs to be strengthened rather than weakened at this moment.”
He therefore calls for, and expects, all parties to act clearly and decisively with reason, to respect the established legal framework, and to work towards a rules-based international order. Open, sincere and respectful dialogue at this moment is nothing less than an absolute and urgent necessity, he said.