Sweden reiterates support for Denmark on Greenland issue

HELSINKI, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Sweden on Monday voiced strong support for Denmark amid Copenhagen's disappointment over a U.S. public statement announcing that U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed a special representative for Greenland.

In a written statement to Swedish news agency TT, Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said that "it is for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland."

"Sweden stands wholeheartedly behind its neighbour on these issues and will always stand up for international law," she said, adding that "the obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is a fundamental principle of international law."

On Sunday, President Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, a move that has triggered sharp reactions in Denmark and renewed diplomatic tensions between Washington and Copenhagen.

Landry posted on social media platform X that it was "an honour" to serve in the role "to make Greenland part of the USA."

On Monday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said they expect the United States to respect the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.

"We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again. You cannot annex other countries. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the USA should not take over Greenland. We expect respect for our common territorial integrity," the two leaders said in a joint statement. ■