“Standing up for a strong Europe and a strong NATO”

  • Home Page
  • Chancellor 

  • Federal Government

  • News

  • Service

  • Media Center

Press statement by Federal Chancellor Scholz and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen “Standing up for a strong Europe and a strong NATO”

During the visit to Berlin by the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Federal Chancellor Scholz stressed that “the times in which we live are challenging.” The two leaders had discussed the importance of protecting critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and recent developments in the Middle East.

2 min reading time

  • Transcript of press conference
  • Tuesday, 28 January 2025
Federal Chancellor Scholz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen gave a press conference at the Chancellery.

Photo: Federal Government / Sandra Steins

“One thing is clear: NATO remains the guarantee of our mutual security,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz after his talks with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Two weeks after the NATO Baltic Allies Summit in Helsinki, the Federal Chancellor met his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen in Berlin on Tuesday. 

In a joint press conference, the Federal Chancellor stressed that the two leaders were united in understanding the importance of security policy in these times and appreciating the value of the European Union. “We take a very similar view of the world,” said Scholz.

The key facts at a glance:

  • Securing critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea: The Federal Chancellor noted that damage to another undersea cable illustrated the threat posed by Russia’s “shadow fleet” and underlined the importance of NATO as a guarantee for common security. “Thanks to the NATO ‘Baltic Sentry’ mission, we will enhance security for the Baltic Sea and critical infrastructure on the sea floor,” Scholz said. Strengthening the European pillar of NATO and increasing defence spending will also be on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the European Council in Brussels.
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: By invading Ukraine, Russia has struck at the heart of the European peace order. Scholz stressed that there can be no exceptions to the principle that borders must remain inviolable. He also pledged to maintain support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes”. Germany and the USA were of one mind, he said, in that the war must end, but not on terms dictated by Russia. The Federal Chancellor reiterated that, “Ukraine will continue to exist as a united, sovereign nation on its way to joining the European Union.”
  • Developments in the Middle East: The Federal Government welcomed the latest release of hostages by the Hamas terror group, Scholz said. He stressed that what mattered now was that the ceasefire remain in place and people from Gaza receive reliable and comprehensive support. This was the moment, “to plan the political and economic future of the Gaza Strip,” said the Federal Chancellor.

You can read a transcript here (only German).