Brussels, 13/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Denmark, which is to hold the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers for six months as of 1 January 2012, has shown a more European side of its face since the coming of the new Danish government under the Social Democrat prime minister, Helle Thorning Schmidt. After the Danish Presidency, during the second half of 2012 according to first indications, the country will be holding referendums on two of the three opt-outs (exemption clauses), namely on defence and justice and home affairs (JHA) - but not on single currency.
During her visit to Brussels and after having met José Manuel Barroso, Thorning Schmidt said on Thursday 13 October: “I had an opportunity to mention to President Barroso that new things have happened in government proposals about Europe. We are planning to have a referendum on two of the opt-outs that we have. We are planning for the first time in our history to have a permanent minister for Europe, which is also a sign of our commitment, and we are planning to abolish the border control that was decided in May 2011.” Denmark is said to be seeking to abolish the opt-out on defence, in order to take part in CSFP missions of the EU, and to change the opt-out on JHA into an opt-in (a clause alloging a state to choose the provisions that it wishes to sign up to).
The Danish prime minister also evoked the next European Council on Sunday 23 October, describing it as a crucial moment for Europe, and the important dossiers to be discussed under Danish presidency. She cited multiannual financial framework for which the Danish Presidency would like to play a significant role, and the European semester (during which the draft national budgets are examined in common).
Barroso said that the fact that Denmark is announcing its intention to review these opt-outs shows the country's determination with regard to Europe. It is better to hold these referendums on exemption clauses after the presidency as, during the first half of 2012, European topics will be high on the Danish agenda. Barroso went on to say he hoped Thorning-Schmidt would convince her compatriots that they are a part of the European Union. He also pointed out that Denmark was part of the Euro Plus Pact, a series of political commitments whereby eurozone member states and associated countries such as Denmark hope to ensure the convergence and competitiveness of their economies. (LC/transl.jl)