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Denmark will hold referendum on participation in European common defence policy

7 March 2022

On 1 June, Danish citizens will vote in a referendum on Denmark's participation in European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The Danish government announced this on Sunday (6 March). In 1993, Denmark negotiated an opt-out clause under which Denmark is the only EU Member State not to participate in European military missions and cooperate on the development and acquisition of military capabilities within the EU framework.

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February, the Danish Parliament, the Folketing, has critically examined its national defence and foreign policy. The ambitions announced on Sunday include gradually raising the defence budget to the NATO guideline of two per cent of the GDP by 2033 and the intention of no longer being dependent on Russian gas supplies. Furthermore, the country will spend an additional seven billion kroner (940 million euros) over the next two years to strengthen Danish defence, diplomacy and humanitarian efforts.

At a press conference in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said that "historic times" demanded "historic decisions". Frederiksen also stated that she favoured joining the European Security and Defence Policy.
 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Flag of Denmark. Unsplash License

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