da flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by Ritzau.

Denmark praised by EU leadership for productive EU presidency

by AI | 19.Dec 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa praise the Danish EU presidency at the final EU summit.

Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa praise the Danish EU presidency at the final EU summit. (Photo: JAIPAL SINGH / AFP)

Denmark has managed to lead a safe EU presidency with many results benefiting both Ukraine and the EU.

That is the message from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the EU, António Costa.

At the final EU summit under the Danish EU presidency, Ursula von der Leyen says:

– I want to praise the Danish presidency for delivering impressive results in just six months.

– 41 cases were concluded, and negotiating mandates were secured on a further 17 cases, says Ursula von der Leyen.

She highlights, among other things, that Denmark succeeded in getting both the 18th and 19th sanctions packages against Russia agreed between the EU countries. This has become increasingly difficult in step with Hungary’s opposition.

According to von der Leyen, Denmark also succeeded in quickly securing a qualified majority of EU countries behind a long-term freezing of Russian assets. And it also succeeded in securing a majority in favor of saying goodbye to Russian gas.

Combined with the EU’s new 2040 climate target of a 90 percent reduction in greenhouse gases, this will help increase the share of renewable energy and thereby increase the EU’s energy independence, says von der Leyen.

– Thanks to your work on migration, we were also able to begin legislation on returns and safe countries of origin, says von der Leyen.

She also highlights the Danish EU presidency for securing agreement on building up Europe’s defense towards 2030.

– You also ensured simplification to the benefit of many companies in Europe, and you successfully steered the first part of the work on the next EU budget.

– So you have laid a very solid foundation for the next EU presidency. The results I have highlighted say a lot about your leadership and support for the EU, says von der Leyen.

The EU’s president, António Costa, also highlights Denmark’s work during the EU presidency.

– I want to praise the excellent work that the Danish EU presidency has carried out. Remarkable steps have been taken in the last six months.

– A strong step forward for Europe’s defense, a farewell to Russian energy, and important decisions to strengthen our competitiveness, says António Costa.