France To Open Greenland Consulate Amid Renewed US Interest In Arctic Territory

France has announced plans to open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, a move its foreign minister described as a “political signal” underscoring Paris’ interest in the strategically important Danish territory, amid renewed claims in the area by US President Donald Trump.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot disclosed this on Wednesday, the same day Denmark’s foreign minister was scheduled to hold talks with senior US officials at the White House over the future of the vast, mineral-rich Arctic island.

Since returning to office nearly a year ago, President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States should take over Greenland from Denmark, a long-standing US ally and member of the European Union (EU).

Speaking on French RTL radio, Barrot said the decision to establish the consulate office was taken last summer during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Greenland, which he described as a show of French support.

“I went there myself at the end of August to prepare for the opening of the consulate, which will officially open on February 6,” Barrot said.

According to him, the move was intended to signal France’s desire to strengthen its presence in Greenland, particularly in scientific cooperation.

“It is a political signal linked to our wish to be more present in Greenland, including in the scientific field,” he added.

Barrot also dismissed suggestions of Greenland aligning with the United States, stressing that the territory has made its position clear.

“Greenland does not want to be owned, governed or integrated into the United States. Greenland has chosen Denmark, NATO and the European Union,” he said.

Greenland’s leadership has consistently maintained that the island prefers to remain an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark rather than come under US control.

Trump has argued that Washington needed Greenland to prevent potential influence or takeover by Russia or China, both of which have increased activity in the Arctic as climate change accelerates ice melt. However, neither country has laid claim to Greenland, where the United States has long operated a military base.

AFP