...
Denmark has said no to EU military operations in 11 hotspots due to reservations: Has nevertheless sent troops away with NATO and the UN | Defense reservation | DR We do not have the fat game, but found other ways to send soldiers out, says expert. By When soldiers with flags on the uniform have been out in the world on missions for peace and, Denmark has had to say no because of the Danish defense reservation. But often Denmark has still contributed with soldiers - just during missions for and. of military missions in 11 conflicts since 2003, Denmark has in more than half of the cases sent soldiers to the same country or area on mission for, or under French leadership. It shows a review of's and Denmark's military operations over the past 20 years. - We contribute wildly with all the military capabilities we have ever had. Even if we have this reservation, says Peter Viggo Jakobsen, professor at the University of Southern Denmark and associate professor at the Defense Academy. - As I usually say: There is enough war for everyone. And if you can not be part of one framework, then you can another framework, points out Peter Viggo Jakobsen. Netop's missions were a theme when the defense reservation was announced on 6 March. Here, the five leaders of the Social Democrats, the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the Radicals and the Socialist People's Party presented a so-called national. military operations abroad.- I hope that we will get rid of the reservation so that we can freely choose to participate in missions. In fact, I think it is natural that we get the opportunity to participate in missions that stabilize areas where we get many refugees from, or where Denmark has very large commercial interests, said Søren Pape Poulsen. In the African country Mali has since 2013 had a series of missions to fight Islamists and ensure peace and. Denmark has been cut off from those missions. Instead, during the same period, Denmark has sent soldiers, supplies and transport aircraft to Mali on several occasions through and on missions led by France. Another important mission since 2008 has been to fight pirates off the coast of Somalia. Here too, Denmark has had to say no. But since 2009, Denmark has in turn contributed with soldiers and the frigates Esbern Snare and Absalon on several occasions under, among other things, ‘s command. - So it is not the case that we have just sat here and the fat game. We have contributed wildly with soldiers around the world when we thought it served Danish values and interests, says Peter Viggo Jakobsen. Only in three countries, Chad, Somalia and Mozambique, where have carried out training missions, Denmark has not participated at all Even in the Mediterranean, where there has been naval operation to control and refugees, Denmark has not been able to send soldiers. But here, Denmark has provided support for the same purpose through the border guards in Frontex, points out Peter Viggo Jakobsen. - We can see this in a large number of missions, which we have missed in goosebumps. Here we have been able to make an effort and support our allies in other ways, explains the defense expert. Minister of Defense Morten Bødskov (S) believes that the Danish reservation has had consequences for Denmark's opportunities to contribute to military operations. - Denmark could easily take greater responsibility in Bosnia. We were there when it was and operation. But then had to take over after (in 2006, ed.), Denmark had to go home. I think that is wrong, says Morten Bødskov. Another example is the piracy effort off Somalia, he points out. - We were involved when it was. But we had to go home when it became. And one could well argue that Denmark, which is one of the world's largest maritime nations, had an interest in hunting pirates. And we could not, as it was who took over, says the Minister of Defense. But we have been with the UN and NATO. Is Professor Peter Viggo Jakobsen wrong when he says that it has not been a big problem for us to participate in the places we think were important, except in Bosnia? - He is right that we can easily do operations in and. We have done that. These tanks (at the Holstebro boxes, ed.) Must enter into -regi (in Ukraine, ed.). No problems, says Morten Bødskov. - But it is central for a small country like Denmark, whether we really should be the only country in which says in advance that there are things we do not want to take responsibility for. I think that is wrong. We need to make a difference. It matters whether other countries see Denmark as credible, says .But one thing is that the Danish reservation, according to the expert, has not had significant consequences until now. In the future, it may well prove to be more important if Denmark insists on being exempted from defense cooperation. - The Russian invasion has created a completely new security policy environment in Europe. Here is going to get a new role, also militarily. And if Denmark wants to be involved in influencing what that role should look like, then you have to get rid of the reservation, says Peter Viggo Jakobsen. According to the expert, the borders of the countries will still be defended by the alliance. Also against Russia in the east. But in Africa to the south, there are growing problems with migratory flows, conflicts, instability and terrorism. - The Americans say that they will no longer take care of, because they focus on China. And here a space opens up where perhaps can play a greater role. And if Denmark wants to contribute to that, then you have to get rid of the reservation, says Peter Viggo Jakobsen.