EU Thorning [Danish PM]: We haven’t decided yet

Politikin.dk ^ | 12/9/2011 | Edited by Julian Isherwood

[bruinbirdman]

Denmark has not yet decided whether it will join the new agreement among the 17 Eurozone members according to Prime Minster Helle Thorning-Schmidt.

“Obviously we will have to discuss the issue with Parliament as to whether we join or not. What we have said is that we will be coming to the meeting today, which we will do. But obviously, Denmark has a euro opt-out. We cannot become part of anything until we have discussed the issue with Parliament,” Ritzau reports Thorning-Schmidt as saying.

Prime Minster Helle Thorning-Schmidt

The agreement reached last night is valid for the 17 euro countries. According to the document, a further six EU countries who are outside the Eurozone, have said they too plan to join.

Several European media have reported that Denmark is among the six countries.

But both Thorning-Schmidt and Europe Minister Nicolai Wammen say that many details of the agreement remain to be discussed before Denmark can take a final decision on joining, including the issue of parliamentary debate.

“The 17 euro countries are continuing to negotiate and have invited some countries, including Denmark, to listen to their ideas. We, of course, will attend to hear what ideas there are for the continued process. That is not the same as Denmark taking part in negotiations,” says Wammen.

“We have said that we will listen to what the 17 euro countries agree on. When we have a full picture we can decide whether we want to join or not,” he adds.

The agreement between the 17 euro countries to go it alone with intergovernmental agreements came following the breakdown of negotiations between all 27 EU nations.