Denmark to hold second euro vote

" I find it fairest to the population that we know the content of the new treaty before we take a position on the Danish exemptions "
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish PM

In his New Year speech, Mr Rasmussen said that by opting out of the euro, Danes had no influence in vital areas of co-operation within the European Union.

But he said a vote should only be held after 2004, when the content of the EU's revised basic treaty is known, and several months after a similar poll is held in Sweden.

Correspondents say votes in Denmark and Sweden could leave Britain as the only EU member not to use the single currency.

'Fair offer'

Speaking on the first anniversary of the launch of the euro, Mr Rasmussen said his country's "interests are damaged... because of the opt-outs", adopted by Denmark.

"We should therefore get rid of the opt-out. But naturally, this can only happen after a referendum."

Mr Rasmussen was referring to four key exemptions from EU co-operation approved by Danish voters in 1993, including the decision to keep the Danish kroner.

"I find it fairest to the population that we know the content of the new treaty before we take a position on the Danish exemptions," Mr Rasmussen said.

Swedish influence

The euro issue has stirred heated debates in this Scandinavian nation of just over five million people.

Many still fear the adoption of the euro will be a threat to the country's sovereignty as important decisions will be made by EU officials in Brussels.

However, recent opinion polls show that nearly two-thirds of Danes have spoken in favour of joining the euro.

A majority in the Danish Parliament also presses for euro membership, urging voters to get rid of the opt-out clauses.

Correspondent say that a similar vote in neighbouring Sweden on 14 September will have a great influence on Danes.

Denmark - a member of the EU since 1974 - voted against joining the euro-zone in September 2000.