From farm to pharma: Denmark's EU presidency focus
On Tuesday, July 1, Denmark will take over the rotating six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) from Poland. With 27 member states, this means each country gets a turn only once every… 14 years.
Denmark has already unveiled its work program for the upcoming semester. In the agricultural sector, Copenhagen will primarily focus on simplifying and improving regulations within EU agricultural policies. To this end, the Danish presidency will aim to finalize negotiations on the first simplification package and initiate a broader discussion within the Council on this topic, as Brussels is preparing a new package for the end of the year that will go beyond and modify the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Similarly, as Europe faces historical challenges in an international order disrupted by wars (Ukraine, Gaza, Iran), Copenhagen has logically presented a packed political agenda for the next six months, prioritizing the autonomy and competitiveness of the European Union. These are areas where digital technology can also play a key role.
First and foremost, regarding migration, no shift in Denmark's stance should be expected. Although Denmark is led by socialist politician Mette Frederiksen, she, much like Poland (from which Denmark is taking over the EU presidency), seeks stricter rules for asylum seekers and a tougher approach to European defense in the face of an expansionist Russia.
Indeed, most European leaders, from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and even Germany's new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, now align with the Danish head of government in advocating for a stricter approach to migration.
Denmark, Poland, Italy, and six other EU member states have officially called for a rethinking of the European Convention on Human Rights. The document was published following a meeting in Rome between Giorgia Meloni and Mette Frederiksen, both holding very firm positions on immigration. It was also signed by the leaders of Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic.
Furthermore, a significant factor is that Denmark rejected Donald Trump's interest in purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory dependent on Denmark. Denmark firmly insisted the island was not for sale.
Furthermore, Frederiksen is one of Europe's strongest voices speaking about the need to deter Russia, stating the bloc should become defense-independent within the next five years.
However, it's unlikely Copenhagen will embrace the idea, promoted by Southern European countries, for the EU to collectively incur debt to finance increased defense spending.
The Novo Factor
However, Denmark has numerous national interests. The country hosts Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, and its pharmaceutical industry represents a significant portion of its economy, exporting pharmaceutical products worth approximately 18.2 billion euros in 2024 alone.
Their industry is currently also facing geopolitical pressures from the U.S. administration, and Novo Nordisk's stock price has dropped since last year, leading its long-serving CEO, Jørgensen, to resign.
Denmark has previously strongly opposed restricting its industry's protection. In 2023, the country circulated a non-paper to other EU member states, stating that reducing monopolies on data protection is "a matter of deep concern."
Nevertheless, negotiations for EU pharmaceutical legislation – referred to as the pharmaceutical package – remain complex, especially given that larger EU member states with significant innovative pharmaceutical industries, such as Denmark, Sweden, France, and Germany, have opposed Polish and Danish proposals to amend European legislation.
Now that the dossier will be in Denmark's hands starting in July, the country will have to strive to reach an understanding with Members of the European Parliament, who seek to advocate for a better balance between innovation and patient access.
Finally, Danish diplomats will also be busy coordinating discussions on potential EU enlargement to new members, such as Ukraine and Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
