Finland preparing to send two liaison officers to Greenland
Several European countries have sent soldiers to the region in the past few days on reconnaissance missions.
Finland will send two liaison officers to Greenland to explore opportunities for training activities, the Ministry of Defence has announced in a press release.
Finland’s decision follows similar moves by several European countries — including France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK — to send soldiers to Greenland on so-called reconnaissance missions.
According to the Finnish defence ministry, Finland will participate in the Operation Arctic Endurance military exercise alongside Nato allies.
“Finland has experience operating in Arctic conditions, but Greenland is new territory. That’s why we’re sending two liaison officers first to find out what it’s like there, what the conditions are, and how logistics and other operations can be arranged,” defence minister Antti Häkkänen (NCP) said.
US President Donald Trump has ratcheted up his rhetoric on the possibility that the United States would annex Greenland, leading to widespread concerns over what such a move would mean for Nato harmony.
According to Häkkänen, the military exercise sends a broad message about the commitment of NATO’s European allies to Arctic security.
“This exercise is not intended to send messages within the alliance, but rather to show externally that the whole alliance is taking the strengthening of Arctic defence seriously,” he said.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, meaning Greenlanders have control over domestic affairs, such as health and education, while Denmark handles foreign and defence policies.
Finland’s former President Sauli Niinistö said on Wednesday that the dispute over Greenland must not lead to the end of Nato.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) has previously stated that such a move would be “catastrophic” for the alliance.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Russia and China co-operating more often and more closely in the Arctic, says NORAD commander, CBC News
Denmark: ‘Fundamental disagreement’ remains with Trump over Greenland after high-level talks, The Associated Press
Finland: Only Greenland and Denmark can decide on their own future says Finnish President, Yle News
Greenland: ‘Fundamental disagreement’ remains with Trump over Greenland after high-level talks, The Associated Press
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: “We want to be Europe’s most integrated region in terms of defence”, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Sweden critical of Trump’s latest push for Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: Analysis: U.S., NATO have long history of not being serious about Greenland. That’s about to change, CBC News
