Denmark

Denmark initially chose not to join the European Community when it was created by the Treaty of Rome, opting instead for membership of the European Free Trade Association. However, once Britain announced that it was going to apply for membership of the EC in 1961, Denmark announced that it would also apply for membership. Denmark had close economic ties with Britain, therefore explaining its decision in 1961 to follow its application for EC membership. However, these close ties also explained the decision by the Danish government to make its application conditional upon British accession to the EC. For this reason, Denmark did not join the EC until 1973. This accession was preceded by a Danish referendum, in which a 63.4% majority voted for membership of the EC. Denmark has historically been one of the more Eurosceptical member states. It consistently ranks amongst the more unenthusiastic countries vis-à-vis European integration in opinion polls such as Eurobarometer. In referendums in 1992 and 2000 the Danish electorate rejected ratification of the Maastricht Treaty and the adoption of the Euro, respectively. Denmark was also committed to holding another referendum on the adoption of the European Constitution, but this was cancelled following the French and Dutch 'no' votes.

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Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Denmark.

Denmark