Ankara: US special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry met with the Danish territory's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Monday, according to public broadcaster DR. Nielsen described the meeting as a 'courtesy meeting,' and said there were no indications that the US position on Greenland ownership had changed.
According to Anadolu Agency, the situation surrounding the visit is 'a special situation,' noting that neither Landry nor US Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery had received an official invitation from the Greenlandic government prior to their arrival in Nuuk, which is normally customary for such visits. The Greenlandic prime minister reiterated the meeting as a 'courtesy meeting' during a press conference, while the broadcaster highlighted the absence of a formal reception at the airport and a limited local presence to greet the delegation.
The report added that there is expressed fatigue over renewed focus on US interest in Greenland's ownership. Landry, also the governor of the US state of Louisiana, arrived in Greenland's capital Nuuk on Sunday, following his appointment to the position in December last year. At the time of his appointment, he had expressed through US social media company X that it was an honor to serve US President Donald Trump 'to make Greenland a part of the US.' However, he later clarified to Fox News that the US was not seeking to take over any territory.
Before traveling to Greenland, Landry told the Danish broadcaster DR that he had spoken with Trump, and that the US president had encouraged him to make as many friends as possible during his visit. Meanwhile, Greenland's leaders stated that the meeting took place 'in a good tone and with mutual respect,' emphasizing that the Greenlandic people must be respected and that they seek continued cooperation with the US.
Greenland's Foreign Minister Mute B. Egede emphasized that cooperation should continue through the trilateral working group between Greenland, the US, and Denmark, rather than 'through the media.' Egede also stated that Greenland had not created obstacles to cooperation with Washington. Greenlandic officials indicated that more meetings with the US are expected in the coming period.
US Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery is also anticipated to visit Greenland next week. During the visit, a new US consulate office in Nuuk is set to be inaugurated, while Landry is expected to participate in business promotion events on Tuesday and Wednesday. Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, has attracted US interest due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources. Trump has previously raised the idea of US control over Greenland, citing national security concerns related to Russia and China, and at one point, warned of possible sanctions against European countries opposing the proposal.