Mette Frederiksen visits newly elected chancellor Merz with high hopes

Mette Frederiksen, the optimistic and hopeful Danish Prime Minister, is set to travel to Germany on Wednesday to meet with the new federal chancellor, Friedrich Merz.

The choice of the Christian Democratic politician as the country's political leader sends signals that Germany is ready to take a leading role on the geopolitical scene and assume responsibility in the conflict with Russia.

"A strong Europe requires a strong Germany. The conversations I have already had with Chancellor Merz, and his willingness to strengthen the German defense and support Ukraine, fill me with hope," Mette Frederiksen stated in a press release from the Ministry of State.

On Wednesday, the two leaders are expected to discuss Europe's rearmament and support for Ukraine.

At the same time, topics such as migration, competitiveness, and green transition are on the agenda.

The Ministry of State emphasizes that the meeting takes place three weeks before the NATO summit.

"We are in the most serious security political situation in decades. The world order we have built up through generations is challenged as never before. The times call for a stronger Europe and unity across borders," said Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in the statement.

Germany plays a crucial role in this, the Prime Minister said, promising close cooperation from the Danish side.

The German population's choice of Friedrich Merz is a choice of a politician who has many similarities with Mette Frederiksen, she herself believes.

"We see eye to eye on many things, and cooperation with Germany will be even more important in the coming years," she said.

In addition to the view on rearmament and Europe's resistance to Russia, Mette Frederiksen also emphasizes the need to cooperate on securing the EU's external borders and creating a more "effective asylum system."

/ritzau/

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