Macron asserts sovereignty of Greenland, oceans at UN conference

French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed firm opposition to any attempts to claim or commercialise the world's last untouched regions, including Greenland, Antarctica, and the high seas.

Speaking at the third United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, Macron underscored the need to protect these areas from geopolitical and commercial ambitions, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He highlighted the importance of preserving marine ecosystems and warned against the potential consequences of deep-sea exploitation, stressing the need for precaution in the absence of full scientific understanding.

Macron also reaffirmed France’s commitment to safeguarding Arctic stability and environmental integrity.

In line with these priorities, he is scheduled to visit Greenland on June 15 to discuss security issues in the Arctic region.

US President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to acquire Greenland, citing national security concerns and the island's strategic location in the Arctic.

His administration has proposed legislation to facilitate the acquisition, including a bill to rename Greenland "Red, White, and Blueland".

Additionally, the Pentagon is revising its Unified Command Plan to place Greenland under U.S. Northern Command, signalling a shift in military oversight.

Trump's rhetoric has been assertive, stating that the U.S. will "go as far as we have to go" to gain control of Greenland. This stance has drawn criticism from Denmark and Greenland, with 85% of Greenlanders opposing the proposal.

In response, Denmark has bolstered its military presence in the Arctic, investing $2 billion to strengthen defence capabilities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev