Greenland’s parliament backs security deal hashed out with Denmark, Trump administration

Greenland’s parliament voted on Tuesday to approve the September security deal with the U.S., taking it one step closer to coming into force.

Sixteen of the Arctic island’s lawmakers voted in favour of the deal and seven abstained from the vote. There were no votes against.

The vote brings Nuuk, Copenhagen, and Washington one step closer to ending tensions over U.S. President Donald Trump’s security concerns and his push to take control of Greenland, part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 

After months of swipes in the media, Copenhagen Washington and Nuuk, created a working group earlier this year to hash out a deal, outlining plans for the U.S. to establish two new defence areas: one in the South and one in the East, among other measures. 

The deal also blocks non-NATO countries from setting up manned or unmanned military installations on the island without the agreement of the U.S., Greenland or Denmark. It would also restrict investments by certain foreign countries in sensitive sectors where they could threaten national security or public order.

The agreement also sets out Greenlanders’ right to self-determination in the event they vote to leave the Kingdom of Denmark, but requires the new state to remain in NATO and take over Denmark’s rights and obligations under the deal.

Danish news agency Ritzau reports the agreement will next be voted on in the Danish parliament on Nov. 19.

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