Danish government hopes to make separate arrangement with Europol

Copenhagen/Brussels (dpa) - Denmark‘s government on Friday began work on how to deal with the outcome of a national referendum in which voters chose to keep the country‘s long-standing opt-out from EU justice and home affairs rules.Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen is hoping to reach a parallel agreement that would allow the Scandinavian country to remain in the cross-border crime fighting agency Europol.Justice Minister Soren Pind meanwhile travelled to Brussels for a meeting with his European counterparts."We are in a difficult situation but we have to work and see how we best can solve it," he told Danish news agency Ritzau before the meeting."The situation in Europe is such that many people are worried and that is one reason the (Danish) vote went that way," he added.A majority 53.1 per cent voted Thursday against scrapping Denmark‘s exemption, while the camp seeking to introduce an opt-in on a case-by-case model, garnered 46.9 per cent.Denmark‘s exemption from EU matters related to justice and home affairs was introduced 1993, the year after Danes voted against the Maastricht treaty, which laid the groundwork for many EU institutions.But since the 2009 Treaty of Lisbon, more EU cooperation has been transferred to a supranational level in reforms also affecting Europol, forcing the need to realign Denmark‘s membership.Reactions in Brussels were muted to the outcome of the Danish plebiscite."I would have preferred another outcome," German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said in Brussels.Asked about Denmark‘s chances for a parallel agreement on Europol, he answered, "it is too soon to say one day after the referendum."EU Counterterrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove said: "That‘s democracy. It‘s a very strong expression of some hesitation on the extent to which Europe can provide security in a way. It is sad for me because we need Denmark."On Denmark‘s future in Europol, he added, "We need Denmark, so we will do everything possible to keep them on board ... We need more Europe and we need more Schengen, the reverse won‘t provide more security, I am afraid."Etienne Schneider, deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, which currently holds the EU‘s presidency, said Denmark would likely "have to accept several conditions" on Europol."I‘m sorry about what happened, I‘m sorry for the ‘no,‘ but it‘s a democratic process and we will have to accept it," he said.