German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Europe will intensify its efforts to secure the Arctic region, reaffirming strong support for Denmark and Greenland amid renewed geopolitical attention on the area.
Speaking after the North Sea Summit in Hamburg, Merz stressed European solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland, stating that safeguarding the Arctic is a shared transatlantic interest. He underlined the strategic importance of the region and the need for closer cooperation to ensure stability and security in the North.
Merz noted that the current U.S. military presence in Greenland is significantly smaller than in the past, highlighting the importance of a coordinated European and transatlantic approach to regional security.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed these views, saying Europe has shown unity and strength in recent weeks. She emphasised that Europe must become more self-confident, competitive and independent to effectively address emerging security challenges, particularly in strategically sensitive regions such as the Arctic.