Bilateral Talks, Not NATO-Wide Approval
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 presented to all NATO allies for consideration. Speaking to Euronews, Albares stressed that the deal announced 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,” he said. Albares added that allied foreign ministers currently only have access to the public announcement, and any details will eventually be reviewed by NATO’s council (Euronews).
Greenland’s Future Remains in Danish Hands
The agreement, announced by Trump, would allow Washington to expand its military presence in Greenland and increase US bases in the Arctic. Albares insisted that only Denmark and Greenland 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 indicate most Greenlanders do not want to come under US control. Previously, Trump had threatened tariffs on several European countries to push a deal, citing strategic concerns regarding 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 protect its interests without yielding to coercion. He argued that Europe needs to bolster its security and deterrence capabilities and move toward creating a unified European army.
“If we want to continue being a land of peace where no one can impose war or use coercion—whether 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 uphold peace and sovereignty (Euronews).
