Commentators are already predicting that Denmark\u2019s role as EU president will be more ceremonial than substantial, reports Seven59.dk and Jyllands-Posten. This is as the European Union faces one of the largest economic crises in its history.<\/p>\n
Denmark officially assumed the rotating EU Presidency on 1 January or, as it\u2019s officially termed, \u2018The Presidency of the Council of the European Union\u2019.<\/p>\n
An editorial in the Swedish newspaper Sydsvenska Dagbladet dismissed Denmark as an \u2018extra\u2019 in the power game surrounding the euro crisis. Other European media have downplayed Denmark\u2019s significance, partially because it is not a member of the eurozone and also because the rotating EU Presidency doesn\u2019t have the same significance as previously. <\/p>\n
German radio station Deutsche Welles\u2019 website characterised the next six months as a \u2018diminished presidency\u2019 due to formal changes in the way the EU works, and also because Denmark remains outside the euro. <\/p>\n
Although the Danish Presidency can\u2019t, or is not expected to, solve the euro crisis both Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Minister for European Affairs Nikolaj Wammen have said they hope to \u2018build bridges\u2019 between all the major players. <\/p>\n
According to the EU magazine, European Voice: \u00bbDenmark is well-known for having efficient and competent civil servants and has an impressive record from previous presidencies. This should help to allay concern about the new government\u2019s lack of ministerial experience\u00ab. <\/p>\n
anna.m.gaonkar@adm.ku.dk<\/p>\n