The Danes voted to join the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union (EU). 69.9% of the voters in the referendum voted in favor of the Government’s proposal, while 33.1% voted against it.

so far, the Denmark was the only EU member state that was not part of the European bloc’s security and defense policy.. The referendum voted on Wednesday, the results of which were made public this Thursday, puts an end to the “opt-out” mechanismthat placed the country outside the scope of the common policies of the European Union.

By joining the Common European Security and Defense Policy (“opt-in”), Copenhagen can participate in joint EU military operationsspecifically those that occur in countries such as Bosnia, Somalia and Mali, according to Reuters.

denmark had since 1993, exceptions to community policy in four areas: monetary and economic union, defense —now ‘opt-in’— police and judicial cooperation and citizenship. Measures that were adopted a year after the Danes voted against joining the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum.

Almost 20 years later, Denmark managed to abolish one of these four ‘opt-outs’. He had already tried twice before, but without success.: in 2000, when the country’s voters refused to join the Euro, and in 2015, the year in which the Danes do not want to end the exception for legal reasons.

“When there is war again on our continent, you cannot be neutral”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the results are “a clear signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, The Washington Post reports.

When freedom knocks at the door of Europe and there is war again on our continent, one cannot be neutral. We support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people,” said Mette Frederiksen, who called this referendum weeks after the start of the conflict in Ukraine, quoted by the BBC.

The president of the European Commission considered that the decision of the Danish voters is a “strong message of commitment to common security“.

“Denmark’s knowledge of defense matters is highly valued. I am convinced that both Denmark and the EU will benefit from this decision.” cheep by Ursula Von der Leyen.

I welcome the strong message of commitment to our common security sent today by the Danish people.

Denmark’s defense experience is highly valued.

I am convinced that both Denmark and the EU will benefit from this decision.

we’re #Stronger Together

– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 1, 2022

Also the President of the European Council, charles michelhighlighted the “historic choice” of the people of Denmark and stressed, like Von der Leyen, that it is a decision that “will benefit Europe” and make “both the EU and the Danish people safer and stronger”.

The people of Denmark have made a historic decision.

The world has changed since Russia invaded #Ukraine

This decision will benefit Europe and make both the EU and the Danish people safer and stronger.

I welcome the determined leadership shown by @statisticsmin Mette Frederiksen. pic.twitter.com/Q9Ja0F5ce0

— Charles Michel (@eucopresident) June 1, 2022

This is another step taken by the Nordic countries to changing security and defense policies after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Finland and Sweden applied last month to join NATO: Denmark is one of the organization’s founding countries.

Turkey, however, has made it known that it intends to veto the entry of the two countries into the Atlantic Alliance, accusing them of harboring or supporting Kurdish soldiers, whom Ankara considers terrorists. Sweden and Finland keep the channels of dialogue open with President Erdogan.

Turkey blocks the start of the process of joining Finland and Sweden to NATO