NYT learned about Iceland's plans to join the EU amid U.S. threats to Greenland
The Greenlandic authorities are concerned about US President Donald Trump's threats against Greenland, so they are considering joining the European Union (EU). This was reported on May 26 by The New York Times (NYT).
"Iceland is preparing for a referendum in the summer on the start of preliminary membership negotiations with the European Union. This process may take years, but the very fact that a large—scale debate is taking place is evidence of real change," the newspaper writes.
The authors of the material clarify that for a long time Iceland was not worried about joining the EU, but the situation changed when Trump began threatening Greenland with seizure. At the same time, Iceland, a NATO member, does not have its own armed forces, and Reykjavik relies entirely on the alliance, and in particular on the United States, for defense.
Preliminary polls of the Scandinavian country's population show that a referendum on negotiations with the EU "will not be an easy matter," as this step may affect some areas of the country's economy. For example, local fishermen are watching with concern as Brussels reduces fishing quotas in some countries of the bloc.
"We need to protect the fishing industry. If we let them fish in our restricted areas, things will turn out badly," said fisherman Helgi Haraldsson.
On April 29, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth announced the need to ensure US military and commercial access to Greenland, the Panama Canal and the Gulf of Mexico. According to him, these territories are key elements of protecting the interests of the United States in the Western Hemisphere.
The Pentagon's deputy head of political Affairs, Elbridge Colby, said on March 4 that Washington was actively working to establish control in Greenland. According to the politician, a process is currently underway that is focused on resolving the issue.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
