"This is a very important day for Canada, as we open our consulate in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland," Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated at the inauguration and flag-raising ceremony on 6/2. She added that the move demonstrates Canada "will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Greenland and Denmark on many issues", including defense, security, climate change, economy, and Arctic cooperation.

The French Foreign Ministry announced on the same day that Jean-Noel Poirier has begun his role as Consul General in Greenland. His mission is to "promote existing cooperation projects with Greenland in the cultural, scientific, and economic sectors, while strengthening political ties with the local authorities".

Greenlandic media reported that Poirier arrived on the island with the Canadian delegation. France has become the first European Union nation to open a consulate in Greenland, though it has not yet established a physical location.

Canada's consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, opened on 6/2. *AFP*

"Opening a consulate sends a message to US President Donald Trump that his actions toward Greenland and Denmark are also a concern for European allies and Canada," Ulrik Pram Gad, an Arctic expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told AFP.

"The implications are clearly not limited to Denmark. This is a European and global issue," said Christine Nissen, a security and defense analyst at the Europa research institute.

President Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to control Greenland, despite opposition from Denmark and many NATO member states. Trump indicated that if the US does not control the island, Russia or China would.

Greenland's location. *BBC*

Trump announced in late January that he had reached a "desired framework agreement" with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding Greenland. He withdrew tariff threats, eliminating the possibility of using force to control the island. A US-Denmark-Greenland contact group was established to discuss Washington's security concerns in the Arctic, but no specific details have been announced.

US ambitions to control Greenland have weakened transatlantic relations, accelerating European efforts to reduce reliance on Washington, despite being long-standing allies.

Nhu Tam (According to AFP, AP)