Prime Ministers Of Denmark

"I have said from the beginning that I unfortunately believe the American president is serious about this. I have also made it very clear where Denmark stands. And Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the USA."

"As Danes, we will always be tough in the negotiations on the budget. We don't want money to be spent on (anything) that is not necessary for Europe. So we will be tough, but being a part of the Frugal Four is no longer the right place for us."

"For me, the most important thing is to rearm Europe. That's my starting point, and that's my conclusion in all discussions. Because if Europe is not able to protect ourselves and to defend ourselves, then it's game over at some point."

"Last time, we had a leading role in the Frugal Four. Next time, we'll have a leading role in another group, because things have changed and the world is changing rapidly. And we have to find the right answers to all these challenges in front of us."

"For me, the latest point will be 2030, and we are running out of time because of Russia's behaviour, Because of Russia's behaviour, because of all the threats against Europe and a very uncertain situation for Europe and a very insecure world, then we need a new budget."

"We cannot accept everyone who wants to come to Europe, it has to be a democratic decision who can enter our democratic societies."

"[On President Trump's threats to annexe Greenland] If the United States decides to militarily attack another Nato country, then everything would stop – that includes Nato and therefore post-second world war security."

"What you (Greenlandic Inuits) were subjected to (Greenlandic Inuits who were removed from their families and taken to Copenhagen more than 70 years ago as part of an experiment to create a Danish-speaking elite) was terrible. It was inhumane. It was unfair. And it was heartless. We (Government of Denmark) can take responsibility and do the only thing that is fair, in my eyes: to say sorry to you for what happened."

"That's what it's like when people have crawled very high up in a tree, then they sometimes need help to get down with ladders and ropes and other instruments."

"The good thing is that all the symbolic elements are gone, and that which really matters – the core – is left."

"I was deeply distressed that the cartoons were seen by many Muslims as an attempt by Denmark to mark and insult or behave disrespectfully towards Islam or Mohammed."

"It could never happen in Denmark, Danish people are much more calm than those further south."

"I often use Sweden as a discouraging example to promte a free and open debate and maintain a strict immigration policy."

"Iraq has WMDs. It is not something we think, it is something we know. Iraq has itself admitted that it has had mustard gas, nerve gas, anthrax, but Saddam won't disclose. He won't tell us where and how these weapons have been destroyed. We know this from the UN inspectors, so there is no doubt in my mind."