An overwhelming majority of Danes, almost 67%, voted on Wednesday June 1 in favor of joining EU defense policy, according to the 97% tally of ballots.
"Denmark tonight sent an important signal. To our allies in Europe and NATO, and to (President Vladimir) Putin. We are showing that when Putin invades a free country and threatens stability in Europe, we , we come together," said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
"A historic choice"
"I welcome the strong message of commitment to our common security sent by the Danish people", reacted on Twitter the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, "convinced that Denmark and the EU will benefit from this decision ".
"The people of Denmark have made a historic choice", welcomed for his part the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
An EU member state since 1973, Denmark fired the first shot of Euroscepticism in 1992 by rejecting the Maastricht Treaty by 50.7%, unheard of at the time.
The country of opt-outs
To lift the deadlock – which threatened the entry into force of the founding treaty throughout the European Union – Copenhagen had obtained a series of exceptions, called “opt outs” in European jargon, and the country finally said yes in a new ballot the following year.
Since then, Denmark has remained outside the euro – rejected by a referendum in 2000 – but also from European policy on home affairs and justice – again rejected by referendum in 2015 – as well as defence.
By virtue of this last exception, the Scandinavian country, a founding member of NATO, could not participate in any EU military mission.
Formerly marginal, the defense policy of the 27 has gained momentum in recent years, even if the ideas of a European army are still a foil for many capitals.
With AFP
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