BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Denmark's sovereignty is an "essential issue" for the EU, the European Council President said in an interview on Wednesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to express interest in claiming Greenland for the United States. The Arctic island is a semi-autonomous Danish territory.

In an exclusive interview with Euronews on Wednesday, European Council President António Costa said the territorial integrity of Denmark is an "essential issue" for the European Union. View on euronew

The prime minister does a European tour while announcing more spending on security around the island, following President Trump’s stated desire to have Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory, as part of the U.

Denmark said on Monday it would spend 14.6 billion Danish kroner ($2.05 billion) boosting its military capabilities in the Arctic – a decision that comes amid continuing furor following US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in controlling Greenland,

President Trump told Denmark’s leader he wanted to take over Greenland, European officials say. Denmark has asked its E.U. allies not to inflame the situation until Mr. Trump’s intentions are clearer.