Danish policy makers open to more EU autonomy

The concept of “strategic autonomy” has become a collective term for a discussion on how the EU can secure the foundations of European Integration, while becoming a more effective player in the international arena. The continuous management of political crisis has expanded the discussion beyond security and defense to other policy areas such as industrial policy, green transition, technology, trade, health, and the euro.  

The Northern EU countries have a historically complicated view on European strategic autonomy, being devoted to free trade and competition law, while remaining skeptical about increased coordination and deepening of European defense structures. Based on interviews with government officials and official documents, authors from Denmark, Finland and Sweden describe how the respective countries view the central components of the strategic autonomy and its policy content.  

DIIS researcher Christine Nissen finds, that from a Danish outlook the idea of the EU achieving capacity for autonomous action is highly contested, due to Denmark’s national opt-out from EU defense cooperation, and as strengthened European strategic autonomy can be interpreted as an alternative to NATO and the transatlantic relationship. That said, Danish policy makers are increasingly realizing the need for a collective – and independent - ability to take responsibility for Europe’s own security, though in a form that safeguards the transatlantic relationship and aims to strengthen global partnerships. Furthermore, strategic autonomy should be broadened to also include other aspect of foreign and security policy, such as diplomatic, civilian, technological, and economic dimensions. Within such a reading of the concept increased autonomy is also a way to shoulder a greater burden in security cooperation with the US, as perceived by Danish policy makers.