Explained | Denmark’s decision to join the EU Common Security and Defence Policy

Experts believe that this change in Denmark’s policy is a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The story so far: In a historic referendum in Denmark, two-thirds of Danish voters supported abandoning a 30-year-old waiver that has kept the country out of the European Union’s (EU) Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said on June 2 that he expects Denmark to join the framework around July 1.

At the end of the counting of votes, 66.9 per cent voted to get rid of the opt-out while 33.1 per cent were against this, according to figures from Statistics Denmark. Voter turnout for the referendum stood at 65.76 per cent.

Experts believe that Denmark’s decision to abandon the waiver is a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the result of the referendum is “a clear signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“With the decision we have made, we show that when Mr. Putin invades a free and independent country and threatens peace and stability, we will move closer together,” Ms. Frederiksen said.

Nordic countries Sweden and Finland have also applied to be members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) following the invasion of Ukraine, deviating from their decades-old stand of military non-alignment.

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a framework for cooperation among the EU member states to conduct peace-keeping and international security operations in developing countries using civil and military assets provided by the states.

CSDP missions and operations contribute to global security abroad and within the EU. They aim to help prevent or resolve conflicts and crises and enhance the capacities of allies.