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COPENHAGEN

Denmark announced it will leave the so-called informal "Frugal group” within the EU to focus and advocate for rearming Europe, Euronews reported Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called for defense spending to be the “number one” priority in a news conference with Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament.

“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,” said Frederiksen.

The premier said the imperative goal to rearm the bloc against Russia should take precedence over "all other priorities."

"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," added Frederiksen.

The Frugal Four was an informal group with the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Denmark during the bloc’s 2020 budget talks. The fiscally conservative coalition, sometimes joined by Finland, advocated for limiting common spending, opposing the expansionary vision promoted by France and the southern member EU states.

"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," said Frederiksen.