site.btaDenmark Assumes Six-Month Council of EU Presidency

Denmark assumed the six-month presidency of the Council of the EU for the eighth time on Tuesday. During its term, it aims to advance key priorities including security, defense, migration, enlargement, and the next EU multiannual budget.

The European Union must take responsibility for its own and Euro-Atlantic security, working closely and in complementarity with NATO, the Danish Presidency's programme states. Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown the urgent need for the EU to speed up development of the European defence industry and production. The Danish Presidency will work to ensure that the EU is able to protect European interests by strengthening its resilience, robustness, and deterrence against complex and hybrid threats. Supporting Ukraine’s fight for peace and freedom will be a priority for the Danish Presidency, the document adds.

The programme also notes that the flow of irregular migrants towards Europe must be reduced and the EU’s external borders must be secure. “Irregular migration cannot be allowed to threaten European cohesion. We must stop dangerous journeys to Europe and ensure that people without legal residence are returned,” the Presidency adds.

The EU must promote digital literacy, secure a strong framework for free and trusted media, and regulate tech giants to ensure that they take responsibility. This applies to fighting misinformation and disinformation, as well as protecting children and young people online. The Danish Presidency will seek to strengthen the EU’s geopolitical influence and global relations by building comprehensive and equal partnerships with third countries.

Current geopolitical developments highlight the need for EU enlargement. An ambitious, merit-based enlargement should guarantee a strengthened EU geopolitically. This especially applies to Ukraine, where the Danish Presidency will prioritise significant progress, but also to Moldova and the Western Balkans, the programme says.

Denmark also intends to facilitate an agreement on the next EU budget. To strengthen long-term competitiveness, burdens on businesses, citizens, and authorities must be reduced. This means simplifying current laws and ensuring that future regulation is clearer and more targeted. The Danish Presidency will give high priority to the Commission’s simplification proposals, the document adds.

On Monday, Denmark’s Permanent Representative to the EU, Carsten Gronbech-Jensen, said that the current lack of unanimity is hindering the start of accession negotiations with Ukraine. In his words, it remains uncertain whether there will be any progress in the coming weeks on extending sanctions against Russia. He noted that the Danish presidency will work to advance the adoption of a common European list of safe countries of origin, whose citizens would not be eligible for international protection in the EU.