Denmark joins the European Defence Union

The OJEU of 24 May publishes Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1015 of 23 May 2023 confirming Denmark's participation in the permanent structured cooperation and amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 establishing permanent structured cooperation and establishing the list of participating Member States. It enters into force on the day of its adoption.

The permanent structured cooperation is open to all member states that commit themselves to:

• to engage more intensively in the development of their defence capabilities, through the development of their national contributions and participation, where appropriate, in multinational forces, in major European defence equipment programmes and in the activity of the Agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments ("the European Defence Agency"); and
• be able to provide, either in a national capacity or as a component of multinational force groups, mission-specific combat units for the envisaged missions, configured tactically as a battle group, with supporting elements, including transport and logistics, capable of undertaking defined missions, within 5 to 30 days, in particular in response to requests from the United Nations, and sustainable for an initial period of 30 days, extendable to at least 120 days.

Member States wishing to participate in the permanent structured cooperation and meeting the above criteria and commitments will notify their intention to the Council and to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Spain's Josep Borrell Fontelles, who signs the decision as President of the Council of the EU.

On 1 June 2022, a referendum was held in Denmark on the revocation of the opt-out from participation in EU decisions and actions with defence implications.

The result of the referendum was in favour of repeal. On 23 March 2023, the Council and the High Representative received notification from Denmark that it intended to participate in permanent structured cooperation.

Denmark has presented, in its national implementation plan, its capacity to implement the most binding commitments, which the participating Member States have made among themselves.