The Danish defence minister and the Faroese foreign minister may differ on their characterizations of a recent meeting in the Faroe Islands, but both agree Arctic security was high on the agenda.
In a news release on Sunday, Denmark’s Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus announced what he described as a new agreement that would bolster defence activity and increase military presence around the islands in cooperation with the Faroese government.
“With the agreement between Denmark and the Faroe Islands to jointly strengthen activity in and around the Faroe Islands, we are sending a clear signal that the Kingdom takes the responsibility for our collective security seriously, throughout the Kingdom,” Bruus said.
“The strengthening is part of the overall strengthened presence in the Arctic and will be another important contribution to NATO.”
Prior to arriving in the Faroe Islands, Denmark’s Ministry of Defence said discussions on expanding the Arctic Endurance exercise, a year-long initiative focused on Greenland’s defence, to the Faroe Islands would be a key focus.
No new agreement, says Faroese minister
In comments on Tuesday, the Faroe Islands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Fisheries, Bárður á Steig Nielsen, echoed the importance of Greenland and northern security, but in an interview with the Faroe Islands public broadcaster KVF, said that there was no new agreement.
Instead, he said he and Bruus discussed northern security and upcoming defence exercises, including Arctic Endurance.
In the Danish statement, the defence ministry said the increased presence in the Faroe Islands could involve everything from joint training and NATO support to F-35 fighter jet patrols and increased frigate visits.
“In light of the security situation, it is a clear priority for the Faroe Islands to strengthen defence and security cooperation with Denmark and our allies,” Bruus said.
“I look forward to the Faroe Islands actively participating – both at political and operational levels – in the common task of strengthening security in the North Atlantic.”
Greenland has become a focal point of Arctic security since U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to take control of the island for national security reasons.
The Faroe Islands, along with Greenland, are part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
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Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Ottawa awards Telesat $2.3B Arctic military satellite contract, The Canadian Press
Denmark: Denmark to provide four F-35 fighter jets to NATO’s Arctic Sentry, Reuters
Finland: Greenland clash left a mark on EU-US relations says Finnish PM, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Europeans step up submarine hunting in the North, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Northern Fleet conducts multiple missile launches near Norway in the Barents Sea, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Coast Guard Operation Frontier Sentinel already underway when Chinese ships arrvied in Bering Sea, Eye on the Arctic
