“Denmark will host European leaders next week, and we will pay special attention to security. Therefore, from Monday to Friday, we will close Danish airspace to all civilian drone flights,” declared Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen.
Drone overflights in Danish airspace since September 22 have led to the closure of several airports, with Denmark suggesting possible Russian involvement, though Moscow has denied any responsibility.
Denmark, which holds the presidency of the European Union Council in the second semester, will host an informal European Council in Copenhagen on Wednesday, with the anticipated attendance of Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
The following day, also in the Danish capital, a European Political Community summit will take place, again with the participation of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
“We cannot accept that foreign drones create uncertainty and agitation in society, as we have recently experienced,” the Danish minister added in a statement.
Danish authorities consider this measure “eliminates the risk of hostile drones being mistaken for legal drones and vice versa.”
“We are currently in a difficult security situation and must ensure the best possible working conditions for the Armed Forces and Police, who are responsible for security during the EU summit,” said Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
A violation of the ban could lead to fines or imprisonment of up to two years.
Denmark has requested assistance from the German Armed Forces to ensure the security of the informal meeting, during which they will deploy a contingent of their anti-drone forces to Copenhagen.
