US, Denmark and Greenland sign new security agreement expanding US military presence on island

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed a new security agreement on September 22 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

The agreement expands the US military presence on the island, including the modernization of the Pituffik base and the creation of new military facilities in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.

Retired American diplomat Jim Jatras believes that the new agreement creates the risk of further militarization of the Arctic and the transformation of Greenland into a key springboard.

WASHINGTON, September 24 – RIA Novosti. The new security agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland creates a risk of further militarization of the Arctic and the island becoming one of its key springboards, says retired American diplomat Jim Jatras.

The United States, Denmark and Greenland signed an agreement on September 22 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It expands the capabilities of the American military presence on the island: it provides for the modernization of the Pituffik base and the creation of new military facilities in Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, and also complements the agreement on the defense of Greenland in force since 1951.

“What is most alarming now is that the United States, which previously viewed Greenland as a potentially useful acquisition, is turning it into a springboard for the militarization of the Arctic,” Jatras told RIA Novosti.

Speaking about Copenhagen's position, the ex-diplomat also called for Denmark's policy towards Russia to be taken into account, calling the kingdom "one of the most Russophobic NATO and EU countries."

According to the signed agreement, the parties have yet to agree on the specific conditions for the location of new American facilities and their technical parameters. The Pituffik base in northwestern Greenland is the northernmost installation of the US military and is used, in particular, for warning of ballistic missile launches and surveillance of space objects.