Denmark and Greenland have insisted that a developing security agreement with the United States will not compromise Greenland's sovereignty, after President Donald Trump described the arrangement as giving Washington permanent control over security on the Arctic island.

The clarification highlights differing public descriptions of an agreement expected to significantly expand the United States military presence in Greenland while restricting potentially hostile foreign powers from establishing military bases or making sensitive investments there.

Trump announced the agreement on Friday, saying the United States would permanently have the ability to take necessary measures to secure and defend Greenland and American security interests.

He described the arrangement as giving Washington permanent control over security and other needs in Greenland.

Officials in Denmark and Greenland have now emphasized that the agreement does not transfer sovereignty to the United States.

GREENLAND SAYS SOVEREIGNTY WILL BE PROTECTED

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen welcomed progress towards an agreement but stressed that Greenland's political rights would remain protected.

He said the agreement recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark as well as the Greenlandic people's right to self determination.

Denmark has issued a similar message.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Copenhagen hopes the negotiations will produce a binding agreement strengthening security in the Arctic and North Atlantic while respecting the Kingdom's established red lines.

Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly maintained that Greenland is not for sale and that any security arrangement must respect their sovereignty.

TRUMP DESCRIBES PERMANENT US SECURITY ROLE

Trump has presented the emerging agreement differently.

The US President said Washington would permanently have the ability to do what it considers necessary to secure and defend Greenland and the United States.

He also said the arrangement would prevent American adversaries from establishing military bases or maintaining a military presence in Greenland.

Sensitive investments by adversaries would also be restricted under the arrangement described by Trump.

The President said the United States would begin developing a substantially larger military presence on the island.

KEY DETAILS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED

Despite announcements from Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk, the complete text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

This means important questions about the precise extent of American military authority remain unresolved publicly.

It is not yet clear exactly how large the expanded US military presence will become or what formal authority Washington could exercise over security decisions.

Questions also remain over whether the United States would receive additional powers relating to foreign investment, resources or other strategic decisions.

The agreement is expected to be signed during the United Nations General Assembly next week.

DIFFERENT LANGUAGE OVER CONTROL

The differing descriptions from the parties are likely to attract close attention as further details emerge.

Trump has characterized the agreement as establishing permanent American security control.

Denmark and Greenland, meanwhile, are emphasizing that sovereignty, territorial integrity and Greenland's right to self determination remain intact.

Those positions are not necessarily incompatible if Washington receives extensive and long lasting military rights without acquiring sovereignty over the territory.

However, the unpublished details of the agreement will be important in determining exactly how security authority will operate.

US ALREADY HAS MILITARY PRESENCE IN GREENLAND

The United States already maintains significant defense rights in Greenland under longstanding agreements with Denmark.

Washington operates Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland, an important installation supporting missile warning, space surveillance and Arctic defence operations.

The new arrangement is expected to expand America's military presence beyond existing capabilities.

Greenland's strategic importance has increased as competition between the United States, Russia and China intensifies across the Arctic.

The island's location between North America and Europe makes it particularly important for missile detection, air and maritime defence and monitoring activity across the Arctic and North Atlantic.

NATO WELCOMES DEVELOPING AGREEMENT

NATO has welcomed the emerging agreement.

A spokesperson for the alliance said the arrangement would help strengthen security, stability and cooperation in the strategically important region.

The negotiations follow months of diplomatic tension after Trump repeatedly expressed interest in obtaining greater American control over Greenland.

Denmark and Greenland strongly rejected suggestions that the territory could be acquired by the United States.

The developing agreement appears to provide Washington with a significantly expanded and potentially permanent military role while leaving sovereignty with the Kingdom of Denmark and preserving Greenland's right to determine its political future.

Until the complete agreement is released, however, the precise extent of Washington's new security powers remains unclear.