Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called this the key to Canada's Arctic strategy as Ottawa strives to arrange relations with Washington ahead of upcoming trade talks.
Canada's opening of a consulate in Nuuk was carried out before the US announced its intention to annex Greenland.
I emphasize that opening this consulate has long been part of our intention in Arctic foreign policy. We will also open a consulate in Anchorage" - Ms. Anand said in the capital of Greenland. Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, USA.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anand's attendance at the opening ceremony of the consulate in Nuuk on February 6 has even more diplomatic significance as Governor-General Mary Simon also arrived in Nuuk, the Jean Goodwill icebreaker of the Canadian Coast Guard anchored at Nuuk's port.
This is also a manifestation of support for the people of Greenland at a difficult time in their long history, when they are feeling anxious and concerned," Foreign Minister Anand said.
Other countries are also expanding their diplomatic influence in Greenland. On the same day, February 6, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the opening of a consulate in Greenland, becoming the first European Union (EU) country to establish a diplomatic mission in the autonomous territory of Denmark.
Mr. Jean-Noel Poirier has taken office as Consul General in the capital Nuuk of Greenland, a move to strengthen France's consulate network.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to establish a French consulate during his visit to Greenland in June last year and signed a decree appointing Mr. Poirier earlier this week.
Previously, Mr. Poirier served as French Ambassador to Vietnam from 2012 to 2016. His current tasks include promoting scientific cooperation with Greenland, advising French companies interested in investing or establishing businesses, and cooperating with local authorities to map the mineral potential of the ground of Greenland.
Last month, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the opening of the consulate sent a "political signal" and reflected France's intention to strengthen its presence in Greenland "at all levels".
