In a phone call today, 19 January, with his European Union counterparts and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that Estonia stands firmly for Denmark’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and is committed to developing further joint steps by the EU.
“Estonia stands firmly for Denmark’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and maintains that matters concerning Greenland are for the Greenlanders and the Danes alone to decide,” the foreign minister emphasised during the phone call.
“The United States and the Kingdom of Denmark, of which Greenland is an integral part, are both members of NATO, and this provides a strong framework for addressing, jointly and in a coordinated manner, the challenges related to the security of Greenland and the entire Arctic region,” Tsahkna said. “The joint exercise Arctic Endurance, organised last week by NATO’s European Allies, served precisely this purpose – to demonstrate Allies’ commitment to Arctic security and their readiness to contribute in practical terms to strengthening it.”
“The possible intention of the United States to impose tariffs on several European countries is therefore surprising and regrettable. As a result of the common trade policy, such tariffs would affect all EU member states, and thorough discussions are therefore needed before any further steps are taken,” Tsahkna said, adding that the extraordinary meeting of the European Council at the end of the week will be of key importance.
“The European Union is the largest trading partner of the United States, and people on both sides of the Atlantic would lose out from a possible trade war and a deterioration in relations. At the same time, it must be remembered that Europe has its own levers that can be used if necessary,” Tsahkna said.
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