Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen held a press conference on defense cooperation with the United States on Tuesday morning, December 19, 2023, at 11:15. Prime Minister Frederiksen opened the press conference, stating that "the United States and NATO are the guarantors of Denmark's security. This has been the case since World War II, and it will continue to be so in the future." She then introduced the US-Denmark defense agreement: "We are now working to strengthen our bilateral defense cooperation, and we will not hide the fact that the agreement with the United States also represents a new chapter in Danish defense policy, as it includes American soldiers and American equipment on Danish soil. Furthermore, we can now work more closely with the United States on military projects and activities.".
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated in a press release, as reported by TV2: “It is good for Denmark and the Danish people. In a world characterized by uncertainty, mistrust, and confrontation, it is important for Denmark to have a strong bilateral relationship with the United States. Therefore, it is good for Denmark and the Danish people to now enter into a defense cooperation agreement with the United States. Close cooperation with the Americans strengthens European security, and we are showing that Denmark is ready to shoulder its responsibilities. It is good for both Europe and NATO cooperation.”.
It is worth noting that negotiations on the agreement began under the previous government in February 2022, with Mette Frederiksen also as Prime Minister, following the example of what Norway did at that time. Since then, both Sweden and, more recently, Finland have concluded similar agreements with the United States.
The following are the main points of the agreement, according to local media:
- The agreement between Denmark and the United States is an irrevocable agreement for a period of ten years. It may then be terminated by either party with one year's notice.
- The government expects the agreement to come into effect within a year, once the legislation is put into force.
- The agreement means that American troops and American equipment can be deployed on Danish soil.
- Specifically, U.S. troops may be stationed at the airfields in Karup, Skrydstrup, and Aalborg for short and long periods. This must be done in close coordination with the Danish Armed Forces and other relevant Danish authorities.
- It is unclear how many troops the United States could deploy on Danish soil, according to TV2.
- According to the government, under the agreement, cluster bombs or nuclear weapons cannot be placed on Danish soil.
- The United States itself is responsible for prosecuting any crimes committed by American soldiers.
- The agreement does not include Greenland or the Faroe Islands.
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