We believe that relations between partners and allies should be cordial and respectful, said the President of the European Council Antonio Costa at a press conference after the end of the extraordinary meeting of the European heads of state and government.
"We will maintain good relations with the US, we believe in transatlantic ties", he added regarding the talks of his EU colleagues dedicated to relations with Washington against the backdrop of the Greenland dispute.
"My conclusions after the European Council meeting are that the EU and the US are long-standing partners and allies. We built the transatlantic community on the basis of common values and with progress and security in mind. Europe and the US have a common interest in security in the Arctic region, especially within NATO. The EU will also have a strong role in the region," Costa added. "Denmark and Greenland have the full support of the EU and only they can resolve the issues that concern them," the President of the European Council summed up.
"We must adhere closely to international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty - this is important for the entire international community. Yesterday's announcement that there will be no new US tariffs on Europe is positive, the tariffs would have been incompatible with the EU-US trade agreement," Costa pointed out.
"The EU will continue to defend itself against any form of coercion. We have the power and the means, and we will use them if and when necessary," he said. "We remain ready for a constructive dialogue with the US on all issues of common interest, including on creating conditions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We have doubts on several issues related to the Peace Council charter - in terms of objectives, governance and compatibility with the UN Charter. We are ready to work with the US to implement the Gaza peace plan", Costa added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that in the Greenland dispute, the EU has shown firmness, readiness and unity, and has quickly sought various contacts with Washington. She noted that the EU has shown firmness without deepening the dispute.
"We are not investing enough in the Arctic region, in the next seven-year EU budget we are proposing to double the funds," said Von der Leyen. According to her, the EU should work together with the US in the field of Arctic security and have additional capabilities - for example, a European icebreaker. The EC President called for the implementation of the trade agreement with the US and for more predictability.