LONDON
European countries expressed solidarity and support for Denmark and Greenland on Tuesday following the US appointment of a special envoy to the territory.
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry reiterated that national sovereignty and the inviolability of borders are fundamental principles of international law.
"France therefore reaffirms its respect for the Kingdom of Denmark’s territorial integrity," it said, alluding to Danish sovereignty over Greenland.
The ministry also recalled that during his visit in June to Greenland’s capital Nuuk, President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France's unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also emphasized Belgium's full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland.
"Be it in Ukraine, the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) or Greenland, territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law, enshrined in the UN Charter, that must be respected by all," he wrote on the US social media company X’s platform.
In its solidarity message, Slovenia’s Foreign Ministry underscored that territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law and thus must be respected by all.
'We join our voice to our European partners'
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel noted that Greenland plays a key role in safeguarding Arctic security, which is a fundamental NATO security interest.
"It is up to Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning Greenland," he wrote on X.
Portugal's Foreign Ministry said that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is a fundamental principle of the international order.
"We join our voice to our European partners in solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland," it said.
Irish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said that Denmark has worked constructively with its partners on Greenland for decades.
"I trust that spirit of cooperation continues. The future of Greenland is for Denmark & the people of Greenland to decide," she said on X.
Earlier Tuesday, Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed their "full solidarity" with Denmark and Greenland following the US announcement of the appointment of a special envoy to the territory.
On Monday, the European Union said it will continue to stand in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump announced that Jeff Landry, the governor of the state of Louisiana, would serve as the US special envoy to Greenland.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that Landry recognizes "how essential Greenland is" for US national security and will strongly advance the country’s interests to ensure the safety of allies and the wider world.
Greenland, an autonomous territory, has attracted US interest due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources.
Trump previously described owning Greenland as an "absolute necessity" for US economic security, likening it to a "large real estate deal."
Both Denmark and Greenland have rejected any proposals to sell the territory, reaffirming Danish sovereignty over the island.