Bilateral Agreement, Not NATO Policy
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares clarified on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos that a security framework for Greenland, negotiated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, must still be reviewed by all NATO allies. Speaking to Euronews, Albares stressed that the deal struck with US President Donald Trump is a bilateral arrangement.
“This is a bilateral arrangement, not NATO. It is the Secretary General of NATO talking to one of the allies,” Albares said. He added that allied foreign ministers currently only have access to the public announcement, and any details will be brought to NATO’s council for discussion (Euronews).
Greenland’s Future Lies with Denmark and Its People
The agreement, announced by Trump, would allow Washington to expand its military presence in Greenland and increase US bases in the Arctic. Albares emphasized that only Greenland and Denmark can decide on the territory’s future.
“The people have said very clearly that they want to remain part of Denmark,” he said. Danish authorities have repeatedly rejected any transfer of sovereignty, and polls show most Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the US. Earlier, Trump had threatened tariffs on several European nations to pressure a Greenland deal, citing strategic concerns over China and Russia in the Arctic (Euronews).
Europe Must Strengthen Security and Defence
Albares criticized the US approach as unacceptable and called on the EU to uphold its interests without yielding to coercion. He argued that Europe needs stronger security and deterrence and should begin moving toward a unified European army.
“If we want to continue being a land of peace where no one can bring war or use coercion—through force or trade—we need deterrence in our hands,” Albares told Euronews. He added that Europe should form a coalition of willing states, integrate defence industries, and ultimately establish a European army to protect peace and sovereignty (Euronews).
