New agreement strengthens defence cooperation between Denmark and the United States

After eighteen months of negotiations, Denmark and the United States have agreed on a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA). The agreement will enable a more permanent presence of American military personnel at specific military installations in Denmark.

”The Defense Cooperation Agreement is a historic agreement for Denmark. It will strengthen defense and security cooperation with our most important ally. Strong bilateral ties and close cooperation with the United States in NATO are crucial for our security in Europe. The agreement will improve access to Danish territory for American military personnel. This will enable the United States to contribute even more to our collective defense and deterrence in Europe – a core responsibility for NATO”, says Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.    

“In a world characterised by insecurity, mistrust and confrontation, it is important for Denmark to have strong relations with the United States. The Defence Cooperation Agreement will benefit Denmark and the Danish citizens. The closer cooperation with the United States will strengthen European security, and it shows that Denmark is ready to take more responsibility. This is good for both Europe and cooperation in NATO,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

The DCA entails that American personnel and materiel can be stationed at specific Danish military installations for both short and long term. Specifically, the agreement will allow American personnel access to three Danish air bases in Karup, Skrydstrup, and Aalborg. The Faroe Islands and Greenland are not covered by the agreement. American presence in Denmark will be subject to close coordination with the Danish Armed Forces and other relevant Danish authorities.

The United States has signed similar bilateral defense cooperation agreements with a number of European allies in recent years to improve the access to European territory for American personnel. Finland and Sweden have recently signed similar agreements with the United States.

The agreement between Denmark and the United States will enter into force when both parties have signed and implemented the agreement.

”Today, the Danish government has consulted with the parliamentary Foreign-Policy Committee about its intention to enter into the agreement. I have also informed all political parties behind the current Danish Defense Agreement. The next step is the signing of the agreement, subject to each party completing its internal procedures necessary for the agreement to enter into force. For Denmark, this will require approval from the Danish Parliament given that certain legislation will need to be amended. This legislative process will begin once the agreement has been signed”, concludes Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.