Ottawa/CMEDIA: Amid turbulent relations with the United States (US) Canada’s new consulate in Greenland’s capital this week would reportedly be opened by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, as both allies seek to deepen ties.
Anand joined on this trip with Canada’s new Arctic ambassador, Virginia Mearns.
is expected to hold meetings with Greenland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and Danish counterpart Lars Løkke Rasmussen.
Encouraging the move in its own policy document in early 2024, Greenland’s government hopes to reciprocate with an office in Ottawa.
The pledge to open the diplomatic office was initially laid out in the federal government’s Arctic foreign policy, unveiled late last year.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, handles its own domestic affairs while Copenhagen oversees defence and foreign policy is seeking more autonomy in foreign affairs
Canada and Denmark are NATO allies and have embassies in each others’ capitals.
When asked about Trump’s threats toward Greenland, Anand said that Canada is advancing work in several areas, including Arctic protection and security by using its global stage.
“The people of Greenland know that Canada is a reliable, strong and co-operative partner going forward,” she said.
Collaboration on security, defence
“On defence, we should be thinking very hard about patrol aircraft and the coast guard, how we work with Greenland and Denmark… “How do we co-operate, take advantage of each other’s knowledge in ways that are mutually beneficial?” Alex Dalziel, who previously worked with the Privy Council Office and the Department of National Defence has said.
Dalziel also says this as an opportunity that can’t go to waste.
“It doesn’t matter how many planes you build, how many consulates you have, if you don’t have a centralized strategy that looks very, very hard at what advantages Canada has. We really need to be showing on the world stage what it is Canada brings to the table…requires strategic thinking and strategic leadership — and I would say Canada is not there yet. But it’s very important that we are building some of these resources, like the consulate in Nuuk to get there,” Dalziel has said.
The number of Canadian staff who will be working on the ground in Greenland has not been confirmed by Anand’s office. An announcement regarding who will take on the role of consular general is also expected at a later date.
