Meeting between Catherine Colonna and her Danish counterpart (10 January 2023)

Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna met with Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen on January 10.

The ministers discussed the latest developments in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and underscored the need to step up aid to Ukraine in every sphere – humanitarian, civil, financial and military – over the long term. France commended Denmark’s heightened involvement in European security and defense policy, which is helping to make the EU more effective in this critical area.

The ministers also discussed other major international and European current issues, particularly Iran, stressing the importance of increasing pressure against those responsible for the crackdown in that country. They also discussed our cooperation in Africa, particularly in the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea – topics that will be on the agenda at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council on January 23.

In addition, they emphasized the importance of providing a strong, ambitious European response to the energy, climate and industrial challenges the EU is facing, ahead of February’s European Council meeting.

Lastly, the two ministers agreed to continue stepping up discussions between France and Denmark on economic affairs, in light of the new bilateral tax treaty that is in the process of ratification in both countries.