France Opens Consulate in Greenland February 6 Amid US Pressure

JAKARTA - France will open a consulate in Greenland on February 6, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

In an interview with RTL radio, Barrot said the move was aimed at "asserting our desire to deepen our presence in various dimensions" in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory that has recently returned to the center of attention of the United States (US).

Previously, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it would send an envoy next month to assess a number of potential locations. However, Barrot's statement confirmed that a physical diplomatic presence would be immediately built in Greenland's capital, Nuuk.

The acceleration of the opening of the consulate occurred amid rising tensions between Europe and the US regarding the status of Greenland.

US President Donald Trump said last Sunday that the US must "acquire" Greenland to prevent the island's takeover by Russia or China.

Trump previously called Greenland's ownership an "absolute necessity" for US economic security, and compared it to a "large-scale property deal."

Greenland is a region that has its own government in the Kingdom of Denmark and has attracted the attention of the US because of its strategic location and mineral resources.

Denmark and Greenland have rejected the proposal to sell the territory and reaffirmed Denmark's sovereignty over the island.

Barrot urged Washington to stop what he called political "blackmail".

He emphasized that Greenland is a European territory under the protection of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and there is no reason that can justify US intervention.

According to Barrot, the French consulate in Greenland will have a broader strategic role, not only providing routine consular services for the six French citizens currently registered in the region.

The consulate is also expected to support scientific researchers as well as help French companies who want to invest in the region which is rich in natural resources.

With the opening of this consulate, France will join a small number of countries that have a permanent diplomatic presence in Greenland, along with the US and, in the near future, Canada.