<p>Copenhagen: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/greenland">Greenland</a> Prime Minister Mute Egede said on Friday he was ready to speak with US President-elect <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged respect for the island's independence aspirations.</p><p>Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has described US control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, as an "absolute necessity". He did not dismiss the potential use of military or economic means, including tariffs against Denmark.</p><p>At a Copenhagen press conference, when asked if he had had contact with Trump, Egede responded: "No, but we are ready to talk."</p>.Greenland important for the US, says Trump's pick for national security adviser.<p>Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who also addressed the press conference, said on Thursday she had asked for a meeting with Trump, but did not expect it to happen before his inauguration.</p><p>Greenland, home to 57,000 people, was a Danish colony until 1953 but is now a self-governing Danish territory. In 2009, it secured the right to claim independence through a vote.</p><p>The US maintains a military base in the northern part of the strategically important territory.</p><p>Egede emphasised Greenland's aspirations, saying: "We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house ... This is something everyone should respect."</p><p>"But that doesn't mean we are cutting all ties, all cooperation and all relations with Denmark," he said.</p><p>An independence movement has gained momentum in recent years, which Egede discussed in his new year speech.</p>
<p>Copenhagen: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/greenland">Greenland</a> Prime Minister Mute Egede said on Friday he was ready to speak with US President-elect <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, who has said he wants control over the Arctic island, and urged respect for the island's independence aspirations.</p><p>Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has described US control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, as an "absolute necessity". He did not dismiss the potential use of military or economic means, including tariffs against Denmark.</p><p>At a Copenhagen press conference, when asked if he had had contact with Trump, Egede responded: "No, but we are ready to talk."</p>.Greenland important for the US, says Trump's pick for national security adviser.<p>Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who also addressed the press conference, said on Thursday she had asked for a meeting with Trump, but did not expect it to happen before his inauguration.</p><p>Greenland, home to 57,000 people, was a Danish colony until 1953 but is now a self-governing Danish territory. In 2009, it secured the right to claim independence through a vote.</p><p>The US maintains a military base in the northern part of the strategically important territory.</p><p>Egede emphasised Greenland's aspirations, saying: "We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house ... This is something everyone should respect."</p><p>"But that doesn't mean we are cutting all ties, all cooperation and all relations with Denmark," he said.</p><p>An independence movement has gained momentum in recent years, which Egede discussed in his new year speech.</p>