Macron expected on June 15 in Greenland, a territory so coveted by Trump – Liberation

French President Emmanuel Macron will take an official visit on June 15 in Greenland For « Strengthen cooperation » with This autonomous territory Denmark coveted by Donald Trumpannounced this Saturday, June 7, the Elysée.

He will go there « At the invitation » of Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and the Danish Prime Minister, puts Frederiksen, whom he will meet « jointly », specifies the Elysée in a press release.

Emmanuel Macron, who will then join the G7 summit in Canada, will be the first foreign head of state to go there since threats of annexation by the American president.

The three leaders will exchange « On security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, as well as on subjects linked to climate change, energy transition and security of critical minerals », indicates the French presidency.

This visit aims at « Strengthen cooperation with Greenland in these areas » and at « Contribute to the strengthening of European sovereignty », she underlines.

The Danish Prime Minister welcomed this next visit, « Another concrete testimony of European unity » facing a « Difficult foreign policy situation » For the kingdom, she noted in a press release.

Donald Trump repeats envy Since its return in January to the White House want to take possession of the immense Arctic territory, rich in mining resources and strategically located, « either way ».

The Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland), gathered on May 26 in Turku, Finland, to discuss security and economic competitiveness issues, had displayed their solidarity in Greenland and Denmark in the face of the inclinations of annexation expressed by Donald Trump. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Størehad then warned, during a press conference: “We will make this message across everywhere: whether in Washington, Brussels, Beijing or elsewhere. Arctic is a regulated area. The law of the sea applies, the responsibility of the coastal states applies, and we will support any community which feels pressure on these values. ”

Faced with American aims, Denmark has announced that it will devote two billion euros to strengthening security in the Arctic, a strategic area due to Russian and American proximity, and the North Atlantic.

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, also mentioned as « One possibility » sending European troops to ensure security in the Arctic, while noting that« It does not arise » For Copenhagen in the immediate future.

After their departure from the French archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, on May 28, two buildings of the French Navy along the Greenland towards the Far North to be « Familiarize operations in the Arctic zone, area with growing strategic interests », The Ministry of the Armed Forces announced on June 3.

Very strategic for American defense, Greenland is on the shortest trajectory for a missile shot to Russia. With global warming and the melting of ice, it is also on the road to new highly coveted sea routes likely to shorten trade traffic. This territory of 2 million km² covered with 85 % ice also has large mining reserves, including rare earths, and unexploited oil whose access is however complicated.

Update at 11:45 a.m. with more context.