Baerbock in Denmark: More cooperation with Copenhagen

Germany and Denmark want to work more closely together. Foreign Minister Baerbock announced this together with Danish Foreign Minister Kofod. The countries disagree on issuing visas to Russians.

During her visit to Copenhagen, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod announced closer cooperation on energy and security policy. The topic of entry restrictions for Russians in the EU was also discussed.

Should Russian tourists continue to be allowed to enter Europe – in this EU dispute, Foreign Minister Baerbock is willing to compromise: After all, one cannot say that one or the other is completely right on this issue: “For me it is important that we in this situation of the brutal war of aggression, 140 million people in Russia should not be given up forever and taken into family custody,” explained Baerbock in Copenhagen, which is very similar to the argumentation of Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

However, the Greens politician emphasized that it is important to continue to examine individual cases in the future. A European solution will be found that offers enough leeway nationally. When asked, she added: The Chancellery and the Foreign Ministry agree “that we will find a solution together in Europe that brings together everyone’s legitimate concerns and concerns.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz had very unequivocally rejected a blanket closure of the EU border for Russian tourists. “It’s not the war of the Russian people, it’s Putin’s war,” declared the Chancellor. The EU foreign ministers want to deal with the disputed issue next week.

Denmark: clear message to Russia

Denmark takes a different stance here: In view of the war of aggression against Ukraine, it seems “provocative” when Russian men lie on the beaches in Europe. Foreign Minister Kofod spoke of a clear message that must be sent to Putin and the Russians.

However, it is considered unlikely that there will be a general EU entry ban for Russians. Numerous Northern and Eastern European countries in particular are promoting stricter restrictions or even a freeze on issuing visas.

Action plan for the energy transition

In any case, Germany and Denmark want to work together even more closely in areas such as energy and security policy. Among other things, it is about “promoting a green energy transition as quickly as possible,” according to a 13-page action plan that Baerbock and her Danish counterpart signed in Copenhagen. Here, too, Putin’s war of aggression plays a role: Kofod emphasized that it is important to become less dependent on fossil fuels from Russia.

Before her meeting with Denmark’s foreign minister, Baerbock had visited a canteen kitchen in Copenhagen, from which thousands of schoolchildren are provided with food made from healthy and regional ingredients. The Greens politician said afterwards that she would take many suggestions for Germany home with her. To admit after a taste: “It reminds you how bad my own cooking skills are.”