Tusk says Denmark reaching parallel agreement with EU on Europol "difficult"

It will be difficult or perhaps impossible for Denmark to reach a parallel agreement on Europol with the EU, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said here Tuesday.

Tusk made the remarks at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen during his visit to the country.

He however noted that a Danish parallel agreement is among the EU's political priorities.

"It is one of our priorities. Because it is also a matter which is important for other countries than Denmark," Tusk said.

Danes voted "No" in EU justice opt-out referendum end of last year, and therefore the country will have to leave the EU's law enforcement agency Europol when the new regulations for the organization enter into force on May 1, 2017, unless a parallel agreement can be reached for continuing the cooperation.

Rasmussen argued that Denmark and Europe have a common interest in fighting terrorism. "This could mean that we will find a solution after all."

He urged that a solution should be found in the summer or in early autumn to ensure Denmark's continued participation in Europol. Endit