Denmark backs Cameron's EU reform proposals

COPENHAGEN, Feb. 5 -- Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said here on Friday that he stood behind his British counterpart David Cameron's reform proposals aimed at keeping Britain in the European Union (EU).

Rasmussen made the remarks after meeting with the visiting British prime minister who is looking to secure support for the proposals which were published on Tuesday by European Council President Donald Tusk.

"Denmark's position is clear. We want the UK to remain in the European Union," Rasmussen said at a joint press conference with Cameron, adding "We need a sensible voice in the EU, as Britain is. We support the package which Britain has been offered."

He said the reform package was "a good basis for negotiations" and the adoption of the agreement would create a better EU.

Echoing the Danish prime minister, Cameron said there were also elements in the proposals that Denmark could benefit from, such as the emergency brake on welfare payments for other EU citizens.

"It is a good basis to go to the British people and ask for continued membership of the EU. If we can agree on this deal, then it will also benefit other countries, including Denmark," said Cameron.

Cameron wants the package to be agreed upon at the EU summit on Feb. 18 to 19 to enable him to hold a referendum on his country's membership of the EU.

Earlier on Friday, Cameron met with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo in Warsaw, where he received support for some parts of his EU reform package.