Denmark sees US deal on Greenland that respects 'red lines'

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Saturday that he believes negotiations with the United States over Greenland can lead to a solution that respects the Arctic island's territorial integrity and right to self-determination.

After repeated threats by President Donald Trump to take control of Greenland, the United States, Denmark and Greenland began diplomatic talks late last month on the future of semi-autonomous Danish territory.

"We made it clear from the beginning that any solution must respect our red lines," Rasmussen said at a press conference in the Greenlandic capital Nuuk.

"Nevertheless, we have started discussions. I see this as a clear sign that it is possible to find a solution that respects our red lines."

Greenland, however, was "not yet where we would like to be," Greenland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt said. "It's a long road ahead, so it's too early to say where we'll end up."

Motzfeldt and Rasmussen met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Nuuk on Saturday. Canada opened a consulate in Greenland on Friday, as did France.

Rasmussen described the new Canadian consulate as "a new beginning" and "a good opportunity to strengthen our already existing cooperation."