Denmark to hold referendum on joining EU's common defense policy

Denmark is to hold a referendum on June 1 on whether to join the European Union (EU)'s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Sunday.

The referendum is part of a new political agreement on defense reached by leaders of the Liberal Party, the Conservative People's Party, the Radical Left and the Socialist People's Party.

In addition, Denmark aims to meet NATO countries' target defense spending of 2 percent of GDP by 2033, with efforts starting to be made in 2024, according to the agreement.

The CSDP offers a framework for cooperation between EU member states, within which the EU can conduct operational missions "with the aim of peace-keeping and strengthening international security in third countries by relying on civil and military assets provided by EU member states."