Denmark must use its experience to produce results when it takes over the EU presidency from July 1st, the head of the EU Parliament said on Tuesday.

The six months of Denmark’s EU presidency, which begin on July 1st, must be marked by results and success, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

Metsola said she had “no doubt” that the Danish presidency would be “successful” because it will be “results-oriented.” 

The  European Parliament President comments came during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.

The visit by the EU Parliament chief comes ahead of Denmark’s eighth term holding the rotating presidency. Metsola praised Denmark as a “pragmatic and consensus-driven member state” and expressed confidence in its ability to lead the EU effectively through a period of geopolitical challenges.

During the presidency, Danish ministers will chair negotiations between member states and represent the EU Council in talks with the European Parliament on new legislation.

Frederiksen named several priorities for the Danish presidency, but stressed that support for Ukraine remains at the top of the agenda.

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“We must ensure a strong and secure Europe,” the PM said.

Metsola echoed the message, saying that Europe’s security “begins with Ukraine.”

There is a large degree of consensus on Ukraine between EU member states, while the amount of material and financial backing from individual countries varies.

A majority of the Danish public also backs continued support of Ukraine, according to a recent survey by Epinion for the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), in which just under 6 in 10 Danes said security should be the top priority for Denmark’s EU presidency.

Reducing Europe’s dependence on Russian gas was also a joint-highest priority for Danes responding to the survey.

Lars Sandahl Sørensen, CEO of DI, said the joint message from Frederiksen and Metsola was a “clear signal that the EU wants to strengthen its defence capacity and become more equal to the US.”

Sørensen urged greater efficiency in Europe’s defence sector through joint procurement of critical components and raw materials, and highlighted the need to address hurdles such as export permits and certification requirements.

He also stressed the importance of Ukraine’s role in the EU’s security strategy.

“Integrating Ukraine’s defence industry into Europe’s is crucial, not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe. Ukraine brings significant innovation and front-line experience,” he said.