NATO Secretary General thanks Denmark for outstanding contribution
The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Copenhagen for talks with the new Danish government. Mr Rasmussen met Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, foreign minister Villy Soevndal, and defence minister Nick Haekkerup. He also held talks the Speaker of the Parliament Mogens Lykketoft and met the Foreign Policy Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee and Defence Committee. The NATO Secretary General had an audience with HM the Queen Margrethe II.
Mr Rasmussen thanked Denmark for its outstanding contribution to the successful conclusion of the mission to protect the people of Libya and for its long-standing engagement in Afghanistan. "This shows the political will and military capability to engage effectively in NATO operations," he said. Denmark also contributes to the NATO operation in Kosovo and counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa.
Mr Rasmussen expressed appreciation for the new government's clear statement that NATO remains a cornerstone of Danish security. "We will reinforce that cornerstone at the Chicago summit next year with concrete decisions," he said.
The NATO Secretary General also laid a wreath at the monument of the Fallen in Danish International Operations, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff General Knud Bartels.