Minister says Europe 'cannot negotiate on territorial integrity' over Greenland
Vivienne Clarke
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said that he shares the Danish point of view, “in that we should not and cannot negotiate on territorial integrity and sovereignty, international law must be upheld in all engagement."
"I think the words of President von der Leyen about taking a united and proportionate approach where there's full solidarity within the EU is critical here,” he told RTÉ Radio’s News at One.
“The fact that President Trump is potentially going to escalate a serious deterioration in relations between the EU and the US only feeds into other countries that want to see the Atlantic unity divided, and that's why Ireland wants to see respectful engagement, constructive dialogue, and de-escalation on the basis of respect for territorial integrity.
“There has been strong unity of purpose across the European Union, with Denmark, Greenland, and that is Ireland's position.
Mr Chambers said the EU has an ability escalate if that is what occurs from a trade perspective and said "We need to have respect for the European Union and its function in the context of the world and the EU has to stand up for its own principles in terms of international law, democratic principles and territorial integrity which are critical to a functioning world overall and the deterioration around that is really worrying.”
When asked about a Labour Party proposal that if Donald Trump acts on his threats, the Irish government should ban US military aircraft from landing at Shannon Airport, Mr Chambers said: “What we've said is we want to de-escalate matters.
"We respect and value our relationship with the US, and that's why constructive dialogue is critical on all elements of our engagement, whether it's through trade, whether it is through Shannon Airport, or other matters. What we're prioritising right now is forming a common European position in the context of what's escalating.”
