Brussels, 26/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced on Thursday that his government may decide this year to convene a referendum in 2010 or 2011 on Denmark's entry into the eurozone. Back in 2008, Mr Rasmussen had envisaged organising one or several referendums on the four “opt outs” negotiated by his country in 1992 (euro, defence, justice and citizenship), but the financial and economic crisis as well as problems relating to the Lisbon Treaty have forced Copenhagen to review its plans. In an interview with Reuters on 26 February, Mr Rasmussen said that the crisis has increased Danish support for joining the eurozone. “The financial crisis has made the costs of staying outside visible, both the economic and the political costs” the prime minister explained, stating his optimism that the Danish “people will change their mind towards the euro”. He explained that the decision on the referendum(s) (possibly also on the opt-outs) will only be taken after the new Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty expected for September or October this year. “We will see by the end of the year whether it will be possible to call the referendum. It is my strong intention to do so and I want Denmark to join the euro”, Mr Rasmussen said. (H.B./transl.jl)