Latest news with #LarsLøkkeRasmussen
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tunisia: FM holds talks with Danish counterpart and Parliament Speaker to strengthen bilateral cooperation
Tunis - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, met on Wednesday with his Danish counterpart, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, during a visit to Copenhagen. During the meeting, they emphasised the long-standing relations between Tunisia and Denmark, and Tunisia's desire to strengthen prospects for joint cooperation in various fields. According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers agreed to set up a committee to address economic issues and discuss areas in which Denmark excels, such as renewable energy, sustainable agricultural production, and the health and pharmaceutical industries. The Foreign Minister praised the continuous development of Tunisian–Danish relations, noting Denmark's decision to open an embassy in Tunisia in August next year. Nafti added that this decision "represents a strong expression of Denmark's confidence in Tunisia's position in its regional environment, and its commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and expanding its horizons." He also praised the constructive political dialogue between Tunisia and Denmark, which will assume the presidency of the European Union in the second half of this year. He emphasised the convergence of views between the two countries on a number of regional and international issues of common interest. In this context, he reiterated Tunisia's firm position on the ongoing violations committed by the occupation forces against the Palestinian people, describing these practices as amounting to "genocide." He reiterated Tunisia's call for the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate right to establish a free and independent state in their territories, with Al-Quds as its capital. For his part, Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen expressed his deep satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations since their establishment in 1959, which are based on mutual respect and shared interests. He stated that the opening of a Danish embassy in Tunisia demonstrates Denmark's commitment to enhancing cooperation and fostering a stronger partnership between the two countries. Minister Rasmussen affirmed that Denmark considers Tunisia an important partner in Africa and the Arab region, and is looking forward to strengthening cooperation in many areas, particularly in the fields of education, vocational training, and the transition to renewable energy sources. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with Danish Parliament Speaker Søren Gade. The two ministers reviewed Tunisia's development efforts and opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and their implications for stability. During the meeting, the minister expressed Tunisia's gratitude for its historical ties with Denmark and its commitment to enhancing all aspects of bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the two friendly nations. He emphasised the importance of strengthening parliamentary relations to reflect the depth and longevity of bilateral ties. On this occasion, Nafti highlighted Tunisia's approach to consolidating democratic practices and its commitment to the necessary reforms relating to good governance, the fight against corruption, and the establishment of values of social justice and economic recovery under the leadership of President Kais Saied. He also emphasised the important role that the Danish Parliament can play in supporting Tunisia, alongside its European partners, in recovering stolen assets belonging to the Tunisian people. The minister assured the Speaker of the Danish Parliament that Tunisia attaches great importance to security and stability in the region and beyond, and noted that the initiative revived by Tunisia in cooperation with Egypt and Algeria to focus on security and stability in Libya by establishing Libyan institutions capable of uniting Libyans is the best proof of this. He added that Tunisia seeks to make the Mediterranean a secure and stable region. For his part, the Speaker of the Danish Parliament praised the strength of relations between the two countries, affirming his country's interest in strengthening cooperation with Tunisia given its pivotal location in the Mediterranean and on the African continent. He expressed his country's readiness to bolster parliamentary cooperation at the bilateral level and within the European Parliament.
Qatar Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Danish minister meets US envoy over alleged Greenland espionage plot
CopenhagencTypeface:> Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen met with a senior US embassy official on Thursday to discuss an alleged espionage plot in Greenland, he told Denmark's DR television station. 'We are a close ally of the US and therefore we cannot accept it when people start spying on each other,' Rasmussen told the broadcaster. He added that the Foreign Ministry wanted to make it clear to the Americans that responsibility for internal affairs of the kingdom of Denmark lies with the kingdom itself. Greenland is largely autonomous, but officially belongs to the kingdom of Denmark. Following the meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Rasmussen said he had the impression that the chargé d'affaires of the US embassy, Jennifer Hall Godfrey, had taken the message seriously. The Wall Street Journal reported that the US government has asked its intelligence services to find out more about the independence movement in Greenland. (DPA)
Roya News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
US ambassador to be summoned by Denmark over Greenland spying report
Denmark's foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced plans to summon the US ambassador in response to a recent report that American intelligence agencies have been instructed to intensify spying on Greenland. Rasmussen, speaking from a EU ministers' meeting in Warsaw, described the claims as 'somewhat disturbing' and said Denmark would seek clarification directly from the US diplomatic mission. 'We are going to call in the US acting ambassador for a discussion at the foreign ministry to see if we can confirm this information,' he said. 'It doesn't seem to be strongly rejected by those who speak out. That worries me.' According to an article published by The Wall Street Journal, American spy agencies were recently instructed to shift focus toward Greenland, especially in regard to its independence movement and the US's interest in the island's mineral resources. The report suggests the move is part of a broader campaign by President Donald Trump to secure US control over Greenland. In response, the US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a strong rebuke of the Journal, accusing it of undermining President Trump. 'The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed of aiding deep state actors who seek to undermine the President by politicizing and leaking classified information. They are breaking the law and undermining our nation's security and democracy,' Gabbard said. She did not deny the article's contents. Denmark's domestic intelligence service, PET, declined to comment directly on the report but confirmed to local media that it had taken notice of US interest in Greenland. The agency also acknowledged that international attention on Greenland has led to increased espionage threats against both the island and Denmark. Greenland, home to roughly 56,000 people, holds strategic value due to its Arctic location and abundant natural resources. The island is increasingly viewed as a geopolitical flashpoint, with growing interest from major powers including the US, China, and Russia. President Trump has made no secret of his desire to assert American control over Greenland, raising the possibility of using military force. 'I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything,' Trump told NBC News in a recent interview. 'We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of, and we'll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security.' In a speech before Congress in March, he reiterated that 'one way or the other, we're going to get it.' Tensions escalated further when US Vice President JD Vance made an unannounced visit to a remote US military base in Greenland earlier this year. The trip was condemned by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called it 'completely unacceptable pressure on Greenland, Greenlandic politicians, and the Greenlandic population.'
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Denmark summons US ambassador over report of Greenland spying
Denmark 's Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has voiced serious concerns over a report in the Wall Street Journal alleging that the US has ordered its intelligence agencies to intensify spying activities in Greenland. Mr Rasmussen stated he would summon the acting US ambassador to Denmark for clarification. Speaking to reporters at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Warsaw, Mr Rasmussen expressed his unease, saying: "I have read the article in the Wall Street Journal and it worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends." He further emphasised his intention to address the issue directly, adding, "We are going to call in the US acting ambassador for a discussion at the foreign ministry to see if we can confirm this information, which is somewhat disturbing." The Wall Street Journal report, published on Tuesday and citing two anonymous sources, claims that the US is escalating its intelligence gathering on Greenland, linking this activity to President Donald Trump 's previously stated interest in acquiring the island. The intelligence gathering reportedly will focus in part on identifying individuals in Greenland and Denmark who support the Trump administration's interest in taking over the island. A US State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on intelligence matters. The spokesperson referred to an earlier comment from National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt, who said Mr Trump has been very clear that the US is concerned about the security of Greenland and the Arctic. Mr Trump has repeatedly said he wants to take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory in the Arctic. He has refused to rule out annexation by force, creating a diplomatic crisis between the US, Denmark and Greenland. The leaders of Denmark and Greenland have said only that Greenlanders can decide the territory's future. However, they have found themselves treading a delicate line between firmly dismissing US ambitions over Greenland and trying to maintain good ties with their traditional ally.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland spying report
Denmark summons US ambassador over Greenland spying report 13 minutes ago Share Save Max Matza BBC News Share Save Getty Images Denmark's foreign minister says he will summon the US ambassador to address a report that Washington's spy agencies have been told to focus on Greenland amid Donald Trump's threats to take over the island. "It worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends," Lars Løkke Rasmussen said, responding to the report in The Wall Street Journal. According to the newspaper, US spy agencies were told to focus efforts on the semi-autonomous country's independence movement, and American goals to extract mineral resources there. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused the Journal of attempts to "undermine" President Trump "by politicizing and leaking classified information". While not denying the report, she accused the newspaper of "breaking the law and undermining our nation's security and democracy". Rasmussen, who was attending an EU ministers meeting in Warsaw, said the report was "somewhat disturbing". "We are going to call in the US acting ambassador for a discussion at the foreign ministry to see if we can confirm this information," Rasmussen said. "It doesn't seem to be strongly rejected by those who speak out. That worries me." The Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) declined to comment on the article, but told Danish media that it had "naturally" taken note of US interest in Greenland. Based on international interest in Greenland in general, the agency said, there was an increased espionage threat against it and Denmark. President Trump has repeatedly vowed to take control of Greenland, most recently telling NBC News on Sunday that he had not ruled out using military force to seize the arctic island. "I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything," he said. "We need Greenland very badly. Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we'll take care of, and we'll cherish them, and all of that. But we need that for international security."
