Denmark is preparing for a significant responsibility as it takes over the presidency of the European Union (EU) on July 1, 2025. The preparations are underway, and according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Udenrigsministeriet), this will be the largest foreign policy challenge for Denmark in the decade. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced that the country’s key focus areas during its presidency will include climate change, security, and the management of migrant flows.

One of the main priorities will be the green transition. Frederiksen stated at a press conference that Denmark will also concentrate on the situation in Ukraine, where the country is already playing an active role. “We want to bring our position in Ukraine into the presidency,” she said, emphasizing the importance of contributing to the EU’s overall efforts in this area.

Security and border control are also on the agenda. Frederiksen noted that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own borders and manage migration flows more effectively. Additionally, Denmark will be responsible for leading negotiations on the EU’s next seven-year budget, which will also be a central task during the presidency.

The government has already nominated Dan Jørgensen as a candidate for EU Commissioner, and an EU Minister is expected to be appointed soon to prepare Denmark for the presidency period. The upcoming presidency will also include a series of meetings hosted in Denmark. Around 15 ministerial meetings are planned to take place in the cities of Aalborg, Horsens, Herning, and Frederiksberg.

This will be the eighth time Denmark has assumed the presidency, with the last occurrence in 2012. Danish ministers will be tasked with leading meetings among EU member states, prioritizing issues, and representing the EU in interactions with other institutions.