MOSCOW (RUSSIA)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Greenland was not a “natural part of Denmark.”
Addressing a news conference on Tuesday (local time), Lavrov said that several countries own parts of colonies, which is a flagrant violation of the UNSC Charter.
“If we talk about Greenland, well, that’s part of the issue that has to do with the consequences of the colonial era, starting with the 13th century. Greenland essentially, was a Norwegian colony, starting with the 13th, till the very beginning of the 20th century was the Denmark’s colony. And by the mid-20th century, an agreement was signed, according to which it is part of Denmark, not as a colony but as an associated territory. It was associated with the European Union. But in principle, Greenland is not a natural part of Denmark, is it?” he said.
Lavrov said that the problem of former colonial powers holding on to colonies is a problem which is becoming more urgent.
“It was not a natural part of Norway or Denmark. It was the colonial acquired state. Well, people got used to that. That’s the other matter. But the problem of former colonial powers, well, it is something that is becoming more urgent,” he said.
Lavrov further said that there are 17 territories which are still dependent on ruling powers, listing out the regions, and said that these issues will be raised even in the future.
“According to the UN, there are 17 territories that either do not have sovereigns or are directly dependent on their ruling powers. Unlike and at odds with the UNSC resolution, France keeps the island of Mayotte. Judging by all of the decisions of the United Nations, it keeps part of the Comoros. The UK keeps the Malvinas. In violation of multiple resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly.
