Danish PM 'not embarrassed' prior to Trump Nato meeting
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has declared herself calm before meeting US president Donald Trump at the ongoing Nato summit in the United Kingdom.
Trump is not shy of taking a confrontational tone when he meets leaders of Nato allies who he says do not spend enough money on defence.
“I am not at all embarrassed [with regard to Nato spending, ed.], and no one in Denmark has any reason to be,” Frederiksen said on her way to the NATO summit in Watford north of London.
Denmark is among the two-thirds of Nato countries that do not spend two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, the stated mutual goal for Nato member states since 2014.
The Scandinavian country currently spends 1.32 per cent of its GDP on defence, although the figure is rising, Ritzau reports.
Meanwhile, Denmark is regularly at the front of the queue when it comes to providing forces to participate in international missions.
The two government leaders had a well-documented diplomatic clash earlier this year, when Trump cancelled a state visit to Denmark.
Prior to the scheduled visit, Trump suggested that the United States buy Greenland, a self-governing part of Denmark. The proposal was rejected by both Denmark and Greenland
Frederiksen called the debate about a sale "absurd". Trump retaliated, calling the Prime Minister's comment "nasty."
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Danes pour scorn on Trump after state visit postponement
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No war of words with Trump: Danish PM Frederiksen
The two later met in New York, and the relationship is good, Frederiksen stressed on Wednesday.
“We have a really good relationship. Yes, some words can get out there, but the important thing is to count on each other and trust each other,” the PM said.
“In my opinion, the United States is our most important ally. We need to talk about foreign and security policy and to confirm our good mutual relationship. That's the decisive factor,” she said.
Prior to the Nato summit, the government has presented a plan for Denmark to spend 1.5 billion kroner on increased air and marine surveillance in the Arctic region.
Russian submarine activity and superpower rivalry are amongst regional issues which concern Denmark.
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Trump is not shy of taking a confrontational tone when he meets leaders of Nato allies who he says do not spend enough money on defence.
“I am not at all embarrassed [with regard to Nato spending, ed.], and no one in Denmark has any reason to be,” Frederiksen said on her way to the NATO summit in Watford north of London.
Denmark is among the two-thirds of Nato countries that do not spend two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence, the stated mutual goal for Nato member states since 2014.
The Scandinavian country currently spends 1.32 per cent of its GDP on defence, although the figure is rising, Ritzau reports.
Meanwhile, Denmark is regularly at the front of the queue when it comes to providing forces to participate in international missions.
The two government leaders had a well-documented diplomatic clash earlier this year, when Trump cancelled a state visit to Denmark.
Prior to the scheduled visit, Trump suggested that the United States buy Greenland, a self-governing part of Denmark. The proposal was rejected by both Denmark and Greenland
Frederiksen called the debate about a sale "absurd". Trump retaliated, calling the Prime Minister's comment "nasty."
READ ALSO:
- Danes pour scorn on Trump after state visit postponement
- No war of words with Trump: Danish PM Frederiksen
The two later met in New York, and the relationship is good, Frederiksen stressed on Wednesday.
“We have a really good relationship. Yes, some words can get out there, but the important thing is to count on each other and trust each other,” the PM said.
“In my opinion, the United States is our most important ally. We need to talk about foreign and security policy and to confirm our good mutual relationship. That's the decisive factor,” she said.
Prior to the Nato summit, the government has presented a plan for Denmark to spend 1.5 billion kroner on increased air and marine surveillance in the Arctic region.
Russian submarine activity and superpower rivalry are amongst regional issues which concern Denmark.
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