Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the prime minister of Denmark, said at the European Council on Friday that he will hold a meeting with other party leaders on 25 November to review the country's opt-outs on EU co-operation.
The increased likelihood that the Lisbon treaty will be ratified in the coming weeks, possibly coming into force by 1 January, is putting pressure on Denmark to evaluate its opt-outs on citizenship, defence, justice and adopting the euro.
Løkke Rasmussen said that “the government wants to opt into deeper co-operation with the European Union, but the question is how”.
Løkke Rasmussen, who has made it clear in the past that he wants to hold a referendum on the opt-outs, said that he would prefer to hold one referendum, rather than let the Danes vote on each of the four opt-outs.
Løkke Rasmussen also said that Denmark currently does not meet the criteria to join the euro as its budget deficit is too high, a statement that suggests a referendum would be some time away.
“What we have to do now is to focus on what we have to do to get a ‘Yes' from the Danish people. If we get another ‘No' there will be a further pause in European integration.”
