Greenland’s inhabitants will determine future of territory, Foreign Minister says after proposed U.S. deal

Greenland’s inhabitants will determine future of territory, Foreign Minister says after proposed U.S. deal PAUL WALDIE EUROPE CORRESPONDENT LONDON PUBLISHED 39 MINUTES AGO UPDATED 9 MINUTES AGO Open this photo in gallery: A drone view of Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 25. U.S. President Donald Trump said late Friday that the U.S. will 'immediately begin the process of developing a large military presence' in Greenland. MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. Greenland’s Foreign Minister has insisted that the proposed deal with the United States protects the island’s right to self-determination and is focused primarily on increasing Arctic security, but analysts say it could also give the U.S. a veto over mineral projects. U.S. President Donald Trump announced late Friday that he’d reached a deal with Denmark and Greenland, a semiautonomous part of the Danish realm, that gives the U.S. “permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland.” U.S., Denmark reach deal to expand American military presence on Greenland, Trump says In an interview with Nuuk television station KNR, Greenland’s Foreign Minister, Múte Egede, said the territory’s 57,000 inhabitants will continue to determine their future. “The agreement reflects what we’ve said from the very beginning that Greenland’s position is recognized,” Mr. Egede said. “Greenland’s right to self-determination is recognized, and the Greenlandic people are recognized in accordance with international law, including international human rights law.” No details have been released and it’s unclear how far the agreement goes in satisfying the demands of Mr. Trump who has repeatedly threatened to annex Greenland and gain control over its minerals. At varying times Mr. Trump has offered to purchase the island or take it by force. Earlier this year he threatened to impose import tariffs on goods from the European Union and countries, including Canada, that opposed his ambitions. He later withdrew the threats of tariffs and ruled out an invasion but he has continued to push for annexation. As recently as July he told reporters during a NATO summit in Turkey that Greenland “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.” Who owns Greenland? All of us, and none of us, Inuit say Officials from Greenland, Denmark and the U.S. have been negotiating the terms of an agreement…