New agreement with the United States obliges Greenland to remain in NATO in case of possible independence

The new trilateral agreement with the United States obliges Greenland to remain in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the event of possible independence. This is stated in the text of the agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland, published on the White House website.

In the event that Greenland exercises its right to self-determination and attains independence, the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark and the Government of Greenland will jointly ensure that the independent Greenland State agrees to remain in NATO, including, where necessary, by applying for membership and, from the date of independence, voluntarily assumes all the rights and obligations of the Kingdom of Denmark specified in this Agreement, including any implementation agreements between the parties, as well as defence agreements.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York by US President Donald Trump, as well as Prime Ministers of Denmark and Greenland Mette Frederiksen and Jens-Frederik Nielsen. The United States plans to deploy at least two military bases in Greenland