Summary Danish Defence Global Engagement Report by the Danish Defence Commission of 2008 Summary Danish Defence – Global Engagement Report by the Danish Defence Commission 2008 Danish Defence – Global Engagement The Report of the Danish Defence Commission, March 2009 The publication is available for order or collection at: Danish Ministry of Defence Holmens Kanal 42 DK-1060 Copenhagen K. Phone: +45 3392 3220 Fax: +45 3332 0655 Email address:
[email protected] The publication can also be downloaded at the following website: www.fmn.dk Paper: Cover: Fincard Lux Contents: Re-print Set with: Berthold Akzidenz Grotesk & Palatino linotype Graphic design and layout: Goodmorning Technology www.gmtn.dk Print: Schultz Grafisk Photos: Polfoto Danish Defence Media Centre Translation: Competence Centre, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark ISBN 978-87-90616-30-4 Copies: Summary (English) – 2,000 Summary Danish Defence Global Engagement Report by the Danish Defence Commission 2008 Foreword by the chairman Danish Defence – Global Engagement Foreword by the chairman The Danish Armed Forces have undergone a dramatic restructuring. Where previously almost the entire emphasis lay on defending Danish territory, international tasks are now playing a significant role in deter- mining the focus of Danish defence. This has given Denmark an opportunity to pursue a proactive foreign policy over the twenty years that have passed since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. At the same time, the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and on the Pentagon in Washington D.C. on 11 September 2001 have led to far greater focus on efforts to combat terrorism, extremism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.