The United States, Denmark, and Greenland have entered into a formal defense agreement that permits the U.S. to develop military installations at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig. Signed at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the pact updates a 1951 defense treaty and aims to bolster security in the Arctic region.
Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. will gain access to the former World War II base at Narsarsuaq, which features deep-water access and a runway, as well as the remote Mestersvig outpost. The deal also provides for the modernization and expansion of the existing Pituffik Space Base. Crucially, the document explicitly prohibits non-NATO nations from establishing military installations or maintaining a persistent force presence on the island.
The agreement emphasizes that no territory is being ceded to the United States. It reaffirms Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as Greenland's right to self-determination. Furthermore, the pact stipulates that if Greenland were to achieve independence, it would remain within the NATO alliance.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the signing as a "milestone in our long-standing co-operation," while Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen characterized the arrangement as a "win-win-win" that respects the livelihoods and rights of Greenlanders. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the process of developing a military presence would begin immediately, noting that the deal would foster a "secure relationship."
The agreement, which follows a period of diplomatic tension regarding the status of the Arctic territory, still requires formal ratification by the parliaments of both Denmark and Greenland. Technical details and specific modalities for the new bases remain subject to further mutual agreement between the three parties.
Source: BBC News
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