Poul Schluter Biography

Schluter backs Denmark's approval of the southern enlargement treaty signed in Madrid and Lisbon.

Represents Denmark as Community leaders review preparations for the intergovernmental conferences on political union and economic and monetary union.

Represents Denmark when the Luxembourg summit assesses the treaty negotiations on political union and EMU.

Represents Denmark as the Maastricht European Council opens the final negotiations on European Union.

Leads Denmark into the final Maastricht summit as the Twelve seek agreement on European Union.

Participates as the European Council reaches political agreement on the treaty package that will become the Maastricht Treaty.

Campaigns for approval of the Maastricht Treaty before Denmark's first referendum on the agreement.

Heads the government as the Folketing approves the Maastricht Treaty by 125 votes to 25 before the required referendum.

Acknowledges the Danish electorate's rejection of the Maastricht Treaty, with 50.7 percent voting against ratification.

Represents Denmark as Community leaders discuss the ratification crisis created by the Danish referendum result.

Represents Denmark as European leaders address public confidence, subsidiarity and the continuing Maastricht ratification problem.

The government submits Denmark in Europe, identifying defence, monetary union, citizenship and justice issues requiring special arrangements.

Represents Denmark as the European Council considers special arrangements intended to resolve the Danish Maastricht ratification problem.

Takes Denmark's position to the Edinburgh European Council as the Twelve seek to rescue the ratification process.

Secures a European Council decision addressing Denmark's concerns while leaving the Maastricht Treaty text unchanged.

The Edinburgh settlement clarifies that Union citizenship does not replace Danish nationality, addressing a central Danish concern.