The Danish Detachment in NATO Operation Oceans Shield. November 2013 © EU NAVFOR
June 2021
Interview with H.E. Ambassador Liselotte Plesner, Permanent Representative of Denmark to NATO
Q 1: The first question is about Denmark’s leadership in NATO, and the military concept of ‘Denmark’s Security is deeply rooted in NATO’ proclaimed by Danish Ministry of Defence. Please give us a panoramic view of Denmark’s leadership in NATO and what this concept means for the role and commitments that Denmark holds in the Transatlantic security and defence.
Thank you, it is always a pleasure to talk about the importance of NATO and this is a great opportunity to create awareness about Denmark’s work and active role within NATO.
Denmark’s security is indeed deeply rooted in NATO, and for the past 72 years NATO has been the cornerstone of Danish defence and security policy. We have continuously contributed to the adaption of NATO to fit the world’s ever changing challenges, all resulting in maintaining NATO as the world’s most successful alliance. NATO is a central platform for foreign-, security- and defence consultations among allies on both sides of the Atlantic, and under American leadership the Alliance has ensured peace in the Euro-Atlantic area allowing the people of Denmark to prosper in a free and open society.
We are a small country, and we cannot face our security challenges alone. NATO is the guarantor of our security and by virtue of its role as a value-based organisation the guarantor of our way of life.
In 1949, NATO was founded on the same principles and values as we stand for today, and it is essential forDenmark together with alliesand other like-minded countries to uphold and protect our values such as democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law as laid out in NATO’s founding Washington treaty.
Safeguarding the rules-based international order is also important for the Alliance. This is why NATOis currently working on the forward-looking agenda NATO2030. We see a fundamental shift in the global balance of power, and NATO needs to be fit to match the derived consequences as well as the challenges that persist. Euro-Atlantic security depends on strong transatlantic bonds and we are therefore looking forward to this year’s summit and to recommitting to our special bond and shared values.
NATO 2030 and the upcoming summit comes at a pivotal moment for the Alliance. The current security environment is both complex, unpredictable, and the most challenging since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Systemic competition with countries that do not share our democratic values and undermine the rules-based international order as well as terrorism, disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks and climate change all require constant adaptation and agility. Consequently, Denmark has actively sought to respond through the Alliance by continuously increasing our shared focus on the capabilities required by NATO to maintain our collective deterrence and defence.
Denmark has contributed substantially to NATO operations and missions throughout the years, including through the command of NATO Mission Iraq, the present contribution to NATO’s missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and regular contributions to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in the Baltic Sea Region and NATO Air Policing. Denmark has been ready to contribute, also, to difficult operations and missions to the benefit of Allied security. I believe that our contributions and continuous engagement has given us the reputation as a constructive and capable ally.
Through 72 years of being an ally in NATO, Denmark has seized opportunities to translate our commitment into operational actions. We believe in the transatlantic bond and the foundational values we all share and every day we go to work with the intention of letting our actions and decisions reflect this belief.
Continue to read the interview
March 2021
Interview with Denmark’s Leadership to NATO in the next coming weeks, special edition.
Also view our pervious article:
September 2016
The Royal Danish Naval vessel Absalon has been deployed to Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 on September 12 to fortify the alliance in Maritime Security and counter-terrorism. The mighty ship…….seemingly serene……. is equipped with Lynx helicopter and Special Forces with the high reputation for accuracy and agile act when it enters into Operations.
September 20, 2016 © DK mission to NATO
In its recent deployment to Mediterranean Sea as a part of Standing NATO Maritime Group-2, its tasks among others will include:
News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Danish Mission to NATO
News from former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Sources: NATO/Denmark mission to NATO
September 2106
Since August 2010 the Royal Danish Navy has been vital part of NATO Operation Oceans Shield. Its participation has been by troops, military aircraft and vessels including:
Earlier this month on September 12, Danish Vessel HDMS Absalon has rejoined the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean Sea. This is not the first time that the support Ship Absalon has been deployed for the NATO Operation–the Vessel has been also before part of NATO Oceans Shield in 2010.
The Danish ship HDMS ABSALON in NATO Counter-Piracy Operation Ocean Shield, October 2015 © NATO’s Counter-Piracy Operation Ocean Shield
News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Danish Mission to NATO
News from former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Source: Ministry of Defense of Denmark and NATO
September 2016
Earlier this year, Danish parliament adopted the Resolution B 197 on August 19 which authorized Danish Armed-Forces to take the lead in the international maritime operation for removing chemical from Libya. The original request was made by Libyan government on February 3, 2016 and approved by the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on July 20th.
Following that Royal Danish Navy led the Operation in international maritime transport for removing Libya’s chemical weapons stockpile, starting from August 27, 2016. The chemicals have been transformed from port of Misrata in Libya to a special facility destruction in Germany.
Danish Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to this operation by stating:
“Denmark brings substantial experience from its effort in the removal of Syria’s chemical weapons in 2013 and 2014. Denmark has both the capacity and skill to take on this important task in a safe and secure manner”
On Denmark’s Military leadership in the operation, Defence Minister Peter Christensen stated:
“The Danish Defence has with great distinction – quickly and safely – solved the problem of removing chemicals out of Libya, and these substances can now be destroyed. The Danish Defence has substantial experience with tasks like this, and has once again shown that it is ready when needed to provide a contribution to peace and stability in the world. High praise for our soldiers and deployed personnel from the Danish Emergency Management Agency as well as the Customs and Tax Administration.” August 31, 2016 © The Royal Danish MFA
“We have now removed the chemical remnants from Libya and have ensured that they will not fall into the wrong hands. This is an important contribution from Denmark to a safer world free of chemical weapons and a contribution that aims to support a more stable Libya. I am proud that the international community through the United Nations and OPCW has asked for Danish assistance, and very pleased that Danish ships and personnel once more has delivered on an important security policy agenda.” elaborated Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen. August 31, 2016 © The Royal Danish MFA
Additional: Denmark will bolster its Military Support to Afghanistan
News from Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
News from Minister Kristian Jensen for Foreign Affairs
News from Danish Mission to NATO
News from former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen
Image: Danish Vessel in the Operation. August 31, 2016 courtesy of MFA of Denmark.
August 2016
On July 14, Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen visited Danish Troops stationed in Afghanistan in the NATO Mission. Minister Jensen highlighted the occasion of his visit had been, first of all to say thank you to all Danish Troops serving in the NATO Resolute Support. And also to assess the situation in Afghanistan directly.
Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen with the Danish Troops in NATO Resolute Support in Afghanistan. July 14, 2016 © MFA of Denmark
Denmark is one of the main Troops and Financial contributors to Afghanistan from ISAF Mission to NATO’s Resolute Support. In Mai 2016 Danish Parliament ratified the Government’s plan on strengthening Danish Contingent in NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and the increase of the Financial aids continuing throughout 2020.
May 2016
The U.S Defense Secretary Carter met with Defense Minister Peter Christensen of Denmark in Stuttgart, Germany on May 4th to discuss a range of Security-Defence issues and the upcoming NATO summit in July.
Defense Secretary Carter thanked Denmark for intensifying its Military presence in Counter-ISIL combat and Denmark’s Military Leadership in continuing its support to NATO and the regional Security. (Source: May 4, 2016 U.S Department of Defense)
Denmark’s vital contribution to NATO includes:
Additional Reference: The Danish Parliament gave a milestone support for Denmark to thrust ahead as a Frontrunner in the fight against Da’esh
November 2015
The United Kingdom presented NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG)
The award was a recognition for the outstanding achievements of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during his term at the office between 2009-2014.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rt Hon Philip Hammond with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the official award ceremony. 17 Nov. 2015 ©UK Foreign Office
The Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Philip Hammond presented the Honorary KCMG award from the UK Foreign office to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and elaborated:
“The 2014 Wales Summit took place at a time of significant geopolitical challenge. Under Mr Rasmussen’s leadership the Alliance set out an ambitious response, whilst maintaining unity throughout. The achievements of the Wales Summit included a new rapid reaction capability to respond to any threat, as well as an unprecedented agreement by Heads of Government to halt the decline in defence investment. His efforts included the modernisation of NATO to ensure an Alliance fit for purpose to counter 21st century threats, including in Cyber and Hybrid Warfare. Ahead of the Warsaw Summit in July next year, the UK will continue to play a leading role to ensure implementation of Wales Summit commitments, including strengthening collective Defence. With a budget of £34 billion, the UK is the largest European contributor to NATO. Earlier this year, this government announced its commitment to meet the NATO guideline of spending 2% of GDP on Defence for the rest of the decade.” ©UK Foreign Office
The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, on the occasion of the award ceremony, expressed:
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG). This award will further strengthen my ties to the British people. Let me take this opportunity to thank the UK for its invaluable contribution to the promotion of Freedom and Peace in the World. The United Kingdom is a staunch NATO ally and a bedrock of the Transatlantic Security Cooperation between Europe and the United States. I would like to extend a special thanks to the British service men and women in gratitude for their tireless efforts to make the world a safer and better place to live.” ©UK Foreign Office
October 2015
HDMS ABSALON of Denmark October 2015 ©NATO
On October 1st, the HDMS ABSALON of Royal Danish Navy joined NATO Counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield. The Operation is to keep the region safe from the threats of piracy and to maintain the Maritime Security at all level.
The Royal Navy Ship will visit the port of the Mediterranean Dialogue Partner Nations and meet with the high level Military Leaders including the Royal Jordanian Naval Force.
September 29, 2015
Danish Armed Forces in NATO Silver Arrow Exercise September 29, 2015
November 2014
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel welcomed Danish Defense Minister Nicolai Wammen to the Pentagon, Nov. 7, 2014 © US DoD
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