Danish PM urges respect ahead of U.S. delegation visit to Greenland-Xinhua

A drone photo taken on March 22, 2025 shows a mine in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.

The statement came after reports that U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will visit Greenland from Thursday to Saturday, alongside Usha Vance, wife of U.S. Vice President JD Vance. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

NUUK, Greenland, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.

"The visit from the United States cannot be seen independently of the public statements that have been made. In the Kingdom (of Denmark), we want to cooperate with the Americans. But it must be a cooperation that rests on the fundamental values of sovereignty and respect between countries and peoples," Frederiksen said in a written statement to Danish broadcaster DR.

In a video message on Instagram, Vance said she was looking forward to visiting Greenland, and is especially excited to attend a dog sled race in Sisimiut.

However, Greenland's dog sledding association KNQK clarified in a statement that it had not invited any U.S. delegation for the race.

The visit has sparked strong criticism among Greenlandic politicians. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, chairman of the Demokraatit party, said the timing of the visit showed "a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population."

Mute Egede, Greenlandic prime minister and leader of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, described the visit as "a clear provocation," particularly due to the involvement of a high-ranking U.S. security official. ■

A woman walks by Greenland's parliament building in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, March 19, 2025. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.

This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.

This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the U.S. Consulate in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.

This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the scenery of Nuuk, capital of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday expressed concerns about a planned visit by senior U.S. officials to Greenland, emphasizing that any collaboration must be grounded in mutual respect and sovereignty.