Lithuania is not taking sides in the Greenland debate, as US President Donald Trump is threatening to take control of the island from Denmark, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys has said.
“Lithuania is not taking either side. Lithuania says that we are all allies, bound by both long-standing cooperation and firm commitments to each other, and it is in that spirit that we resolve all issues that arise between us,” Budrys told a press conference on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Remigijus Motuzas, chair of the Seimas Committee on Foreign Affairs, said Lithuania will stick to a common EU position on Greenland.
According to him, the situation is quite sensitive and complicated because both the US and Denmark are very important partners for Lithuania.
“We are certainly aware of the situation, which is why we are not taking any position today. But of course, Lithuania will be involved, mediate, and stick to a common EU position,” the politician said.
Any decision on Greenland should, first and foremost, take the opinion of its population into account, Motuzas underlined.
In early January, Trump stoked concerns when he said he would not rule out taking economic or military measures to take over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
Greenland’s government insists that the territory is not for sale but says it is ready to cooperate.
Meanwhile, Danish officials say Trump will not get Greenland and stress that there is no military threat to either Greenland or Denmark. They say it is up to the island to make decisions on this situation.
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