Greenland's parliament to bring forward meeting on U.S. threat

Leaders of Greenland's five parliamentary parties said they will move up a session to discuss recent U.S. statements about taking control of the island; the date of the meeting has not been set.

Greenland's five parliamentary party leaders announced they will bring forward a session of the Inatsisartut to discuss U.S. statements about taking control of the island. President Donald Trump has said the United States must own Greenland and has indicated he would act to pursue that aim. Greenland is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark and has a 2009 agreement that recognises Greenlanders' right to choose independence. Key points: - Party leaders said the meeting will be brought forward so there can be a fair and comprehensive political debate and to ensure the people's rights are secured. - The leaders stated they do not want to be Americans or Danes and expressed a desire for decisions about Greenland's future to be made by Greenlanders without external pressure. - President Trump has said the U.S. must own Greenland and stated he would "do something" on the island; he also questioned whether the existing U.S. military presence under past agreements is sufficient. - The Inatsisartut last met in November and had been scheduled to meet again on February 3; the new meeting date has not yet been determined. Summary: Party leaders have moved to bring forward a parliamentary session to address U.S. comments about seizing Greenland and to hold a full debate on the issue. The date of the rescheduled meeting is undetermined at this time.