Kaharagia objects to provisions in the security agreement of 22 September 2026 that would require a future independent Greenland to remain within NATO and inherit existing defence obligations without a unilateral right to withdraw. An independent Greenland must be free to decide whether to continue, amend or end those arrangements.
The Secretariat of State has reviewed the security agreement signed by the United States, the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland on 22 September 2026.
Kaharagia supports the right of the Greenlandic people to decide their political status. The agreement recognises that right, including the possibility of independence. Greenland must also be free to choose its defence and foreign policy if it becomes an independent state.
Article XI provides that an independent Greenland is to remain within NATO and assume the rights and obligations arising from the agreement and existing defence arrangements. The agreement has no end date and may be amended only by mutual consent. It contains no provision allowing a future independent Greenland to withdraw unilaterally.
The Government of Kaharagia regards these terms as political entrapment. They would bind a future independent state to military and alliance commitments agreed before its independence, without giving that state a clear right to leave.
The Government of Greenland took part in the negotiations and chose to sign the agreement. Kaharagia recognises its authority to arrange defence cooperation within its present constitutional powers. A decision taken under those powers should not settle the defence policy of an independent Greenland indefinitely.
Article VI grants extensive rights to United States forces, including access and movement between defence areas by land, air and sea. It also permits military aircraft to fly over and land in Greenland, and American public vessels to enter Greenlandic territorial waters, subject to restrictions agreed by the parties.
Should Greenland become independent, its government must be able to choose whether to continue these arrangements, negotiate changes or withdraw from them. The agreement should leave that choice open.
Kaharagia does not speak for Greenland. Decisions about Greenland's future belong to the Greenlandic people, and their right to make those decisions must continue after independence.