This week, Consul General of Denmark in New York, Ambassador Jarl Frijs-Madsen gave an open lecture on the European Union and the Danish EU Presidency. Denmark's completes its term as EU president on July 1st.
The lecture took place at the European Union Studies Center at the City University of New York, CUNY.
Director of the Center, professor Hugo Kaufmann, welcomed the Consul General and the international audience who were gathered to hear the lecture, titled "The State of the European Union - seen from the Danish Presidency." The 45-minute lecture took the audience through the major themes of the Danish presidency and was followed by a Q&A session, where the audience had the opportunity to debate European affairs with the Consul General.
“I am not going to deny that Europe is in a serious economic crisis, but it is at the same time important to acknowledge that a number of key decisions have been made by European leaders during the Danish presidency. Fiscal Compact, the so-called “two pack” and the Directive on Energy Efficiency to name a few, important ones”, Frijs-Madsen said.
He emphasized the Danish presidency’s triangular approach to face the challenges, the economic crisis has created. “The Danish Presidency has from the outset in January focused on three elements: fiscal consolidation, commitment to structural reform and legislation that can promote growth and jobs.”
After the lecture, the audience had the opportunity to ask their questions about the European Union and the Danish EU Presidency to the Consul General
Furthermore, the Consul General reminded the audience of the great progress, Europe has made over the past 50 years in terms of uniting the continent, promoting democracy and peace, creating the world’s biggest single market and promoting green growth. He concluded that the European Union can be very proud of these achievements in spite of the current challenges.