Canada and France are set to open consulates on Friday in the capital of Greenland, the self governing Danish territory, in a move described as a strong show of support for the local government, according to the Agence France-Presse.
French President Emmanuel Macron had announced during a visit to Nuuk in June last year that Paris intended to open a consulate in Greenland. He expressed European solidarity with the territory while directing explicit criticism at the ambitions of Donald Trump.
The new French consul, Jean-Noël Barrot, who previously served as France’s ambassador to Vietnam, will formally assume his duties on Friday.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse before departing from Copenhagen to Nuuk, Barrot said that the first item on the agenda would be to listen to the people of Greenland, understand their perspective, and hear their position in detail, while also reaffirming France’s support in line with the wishes of both Greenlanders and the Danish side.
Canada, for its part, announced in late 2024 its intention to open a consulate in Greenland with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The move comes amid renewed pressure from Trump, who since the start of his second presidential term last year has stressed what he described as the security necessity of Washington controlling Greenland, a mineral rich territory located in a highly sensitive strategic position.
Last month, Trump stepped back from his public threats to acquire the territory, announcing that a framework agreement had been reached with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte aimed at ensuring greater American influence in the region.
In this context, a joint task force bringing together the United States, Denmark, and Greenland has been formed to discuss US security concerns in the Arctic, without any details being disclosed about its work or the scope of its authority.
In mid last month, Macron announced that France would deploy forces to Greenland at Denmark’s request, to take part alongside other European allies in military exercises on the Arctic island.
Macron said France would participate in joint drills organised by Denmark under the name Operation Arctic Resolve, with Sweden and Norway also confirming their participation.
He stated at the time that any challenge to the sovereignty of a European ally would have unprecedented consequences, adding that France was closely monitoring developments and would act in full solidarity with Denmark.
