1
00:00:00,333 --> 00:00:05,703
President Obama:
Well, I want to welcome Prime
Minister Thorning-Schmidt to the
2
00:00:05,700 --> 00:00:07,070
White House and
to the Oval Office.
3
00:00:07,066 --> 00:00:09,096
This is the first time that
we've had a chance to meet,
4
00:00:09,100 --> 00:00:12,730
but obviously we've been very
impressed with the first five
5
00:00:12,734 --> 00:00:15,834
months of her prime
ministership.
6
00:00:15,834 --> 00:00:20,464
I shared with her how much
Michelle and I appreciated the
7
00:00:20,467 --> 00:00:24,497
extraordinary hospitality that
was shown to Michelle and I when
8
00:00:24,500 --> 00:00:27,270
I visited Copenhagen
in the past.
9
00:00:27,266 --> 00:00:33,366
And I also wanted to just say
how much we appreciate the great
10
00:00:33,367 --> 00:00:37,167
alliance and partnership that we
have with the Danish people on a
11
00:00:37,166 --> 00:00:40,466
whole range of
international issues.
12
00:00:40,467 --> 00:00:44,437
Obviously, most recently, the
operations in Libya could not
13
00:00:44,433 --> 00:00:50,563
have been as effective had it
not been for the precision and
14
00:00:50,567 --> 00:00:55,797
the excellence of the Danish
armed forces and their pilots.
15
00:00:55,800 --> 00:01:01,000
But that's fairly typical of
the way that Danes have punched
16
00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:04,000
above their weight in
international affairs.
17
00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:07,630
In Afghanistan, I thanked
the Prime Minister for the
18
00:01:07,633 --> 00:01:10,633
extraordinary contributions
of Danish troops in the
19
00:01:10,633 --> 00:01:12,903
Helmand area.
20
00:01:12,900 --> 00:01:16,400
They operate without caveat,
have taken significant
21
00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:21,970
casualties, for which obviously
all of us extend our condolences
22
00:01:21,967 --> 00:01:24,597
to the families that
have been affected.
23
00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:29,400
But because of the outstanding
work that's been done by Danish
24
00:01:29,400 --> 00:01:33,600
soldiers in Afghanistan, we're
seeing great progress in the
25
00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:36,500
areas where they operate.
26
00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:38,300
We had a chance to
talk about the economy.
27
00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:43,700
As we were exchanging
notes, it turns out that,
28
00:01:43,700 --> 00:01:45,300
like folks here in
the United States,
29
00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:49,000
everybody in Denmark wants to
talk about the economy all the
30
00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:51,700
time, and jobs and growth.
31
00:01:51,700 --> 00:01:56,630
And we agreed that there has
been some progress in resolving
32
00:01:56,633 --> 00:01:59,603
the sovereign debt issues, that
there has been some progress
33
00:01:59,600 --> 00:02:03,300
with respect to the agreements
between the EU and the IMF and
34
00:02:03,300 --> 00:02:06,900
Greece, the new
government in Italy,
35
00:02:06,900 --> 00:02:09,770
new governments in Spain
and Portugal are all making
36
00:02:09,767 --> 00:02:13,267
significant progress, but that
there's a lot more work to do.
37
00:02:13,266 --> 00:02:16,636
And we will be consulting
closely with Denmark.
38
00:02:16,633 --> 00:02:20,663
And we exchanged ideas on how
we can ensure not only economic
39
00:02:20,667 --> 00:02:23,067
stability in Europe but
also growth in Europe,
40
00:02:23,066 --> 00:02:27,696
because if Europe is growing
then that benefits the U.S.
41
00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:29,000
economy as well.
42
00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,200
And we emphasized other
additional ways that we can
43
00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:38,230
encourage trade and reduce
economic frictions between the
44
00:02:38,233 --> 00:02:40,663
two sides of the
transatlantic relationship.
45
00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:44,570
In preparation for our
meeting in Chicago, at NATO,
46
00:02:44,567 --> 00:02:49,267
in my hometown, we talked about
the transition that was already
47
00:02:49,266 --> 00:02:54,666
agreed to in Lisbon, when it
comes to putting Afghans in the
48
00:02:54,667 --> 00:02:57,637
lead in security over
the next several years.
49
00:02:57,633 --> 00:03:01,563
And we are going to be
consulting with not only Denmark
50
00:03:01,567 --> 00:03:04,797
but our other allies in making
sure that that is a smooth
51
00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,530
transition and one
that is sustained,
52
00:03:07,533 --> 00:03:13,063
where we continue to help the
Afghan government to support its
53
00:03:13,066 --> 00:03:19,536
own sovereignty and effectively
control its borders.
54
00:03:19,533 --> 00:03:21,963
We also discussed the
extraordinary counterterrorism
55
00:03:21,967 --> 00:03:25,097
cooperation that's taking place
between our two countries.
56
00:03:25,100 --> 00:03:30,600
And I thanked the Prime Minister
for the excellent work that her
57
00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:33,700
intelligence team has done.
58
00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:37,470
We are in constant communication
on a whole host of issues.
59
00:03:37,467 --> 00:03:39,637
The Danes are very much one of
the leaders when it comes to
60
00:03:39,633 --> 00:03:43,063
counterterrorism, and are
obviously familiar with the
61
00:03:43,066 --> 00:03:45,796
significant threats that
are posed by terrorism.
62
00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,070
So we appreciate that very much.
63
00:03:49,066 --> 00:03:52,736
And we had a chance to
talk about a wide range of
64
00:03:52,734 --> 00:03:56,504
international issues, including
the situation in Syria.
65
00:03:56,500 --> 00:04:01,930
And I have to say that all of us
who've been seeing the terrible
66
00:04:01,934 --> 00:04:07,264
pictures coming out of Syria and
Homs recently recognize it is
67
00:04:07,266 --> 00:04:09,666
absolutely imperative for the
international community to
68
00:04:09,667 --> 00:04:13,797
rally, and send a clear message
to President Assad that it is
69
00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:19,100
time for a transition, it is
time for that regime to move on,
70
00:04:19,100 --> 00:04:25,370
and it is time to stop the
killing of Syrian citizens by
71
00:04:25,367 --> 00:04:26,567
their own government.
72
00:04:26,567 --> 00:04:30,937
And I'm encouraged by the
international unity that we are
73
00:04:30,934 --> 00:04:34,804
developing -- the meetings that
took place in Tunisia that
74
00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:36,900
Secretary Clinton had attended.
75
00:04:36,900 --> 00:04:40,300
And we are going to continue
to keep the pressure up,
76
00:04:40,300 --> 00:04:43,900
and look for every tool
available to prevent the
77
00:04:43,900 --> 00:04:46,030
slaughter of innocents in Syria.
78
00:04:46,033 --> 00:04:50,563
And this is an area where I
think the Prime Minister and I
79
00:04:50,567 --> 00:04:56,667
deeply agree -- it's important
that we not be bystanders during
80
00:04:56,667 --> 00:04:58,737
these extraordinary events.
81
00:04:58,734 --> 00:05:01,664
At the same time, there are
other threats in the region,
82
00:05:01,667 --> 00:05:05,367
including the situation in Iran.
83
00:05:05,367 --> 00:05:09,267
And I thanked the Prime Minister
and the Danish government for
84
00:05:09,266 --> 00:05:12,236
their leadership role in
applying the toughest sanctions
85
00:05:12,233 --> 00:05:15,103
we've ever seen
coming out of the EU.
86
00:05:15,100 --> 00:05:18,570
Difficult sanctions to apply,
but we both agree that we're
87
00:05:18,567 --> 00:05:21,497
making progress and they are
working in sending a message
88
00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:25,000
to Iran that it needs to take
a different path if it wants
89
00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,970
to rejoin the
international community,
90
00:05:26,967 --> 00:05:32,297
and that there is a expectation
on the part of the world that
91
00:05:32,300 --> 00:05:35,530
they abide by their
international obligations
92
00:05:35,533 --> 00:05:37,603
when it comes to
their nuclear program.
93
00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,030
So the final thing we talked
about was the fact that we both
94
00:05:40,033 --> 00:05:42,763
have two daughters; they're
roughly the same ages.
95
00:05:42,767 --> 00:05:43,267
(laughter)
96
00:05:43,266 --> 00:05:44,266
We traded notes.
97
00:05:44,266 --> 00:05:46,396
The Prime Minister's daughters
are slightly older than Malia
98
00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:47,530
and Sasha.
99
00:05:47,533 --> 00:05:51,633
She assures me that they
continue to behave themselves,
100
00:05:51,633 --> 00:05:53,863
even well into
their teenage years.
101
00:05:53,867 --> 00:05:56,297
So I'm encouraged by the report.
102
00:05:56,300 --> 00:05:57,170
Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt:
Good.
103
00:05:57,166 --> 00:05:58,036
(laughter)
104
00:05:58,033 --> 00:05:58,963
President Obama:
And I thank you very much.
105
00:05:58,967 --> 00:06:00,867
I hope that you have a wonderful
stay while you're here,
106
00:06:00,867 --> 00:06:04,337
and we look forward to
working with you again
107
00:06:04,333 --> 00:06:05,133
in the near future.
108
00:06:05,133 --> 00:06:06,363
Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt:
Thank you, Mr. President.
109
00:06:06,367 --> 00:06:09,037
And thank you so much
for your kind words.
110
00:06:09,033 --> 00:06:14,603
And the Danish people have a
very strong sense of closeness
111
00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:18,500
to the United States, and we
always have had that sense.
112
00:06:18,500 --> 00:06:22,600
We have close economic,
political ties with each other.
113
00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:27,370
But not only that, we
exchange tourism, students,
114
00:06:27,367 --> 00:06:29,537
ideas, and culture.
115
00:06:29,533 --> 00:06:31,803
But perhaps most
important of all,
116
00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:33,530
we have -- we share
common values.
117
00:06:33,533 --> 00:06:37,263
And I think in a turbulent time,
this is very, very important.
118
00:06:37,266 --> 00:06:40,396
So basically, the friendship
and the alliance between our
119
00:06:40,400 --> 00:06:44,970
two countries is in very
good shape right now.
120
00:06:44,967 --> 00:06:47,637
And I thank you for that.
121
00:06:47,633 --> 00:06:50,233
As you said, we discussed
the current situation.
122
00:06:50,233 --> 00:06:52,633
Denmark holds the presidency
of the EU right now,
123
00:06:52,633 --> 00:06:56,833
and we talk about the
debt situation most of
124
00:06:56,834 --> 00:06:58,634
the time, in Europe.
125
00:06:58,633 --> 00:07:01,563
I conveyed the message to the
President that I am convinced
126
00:07:01,567 --> 00:07:05,367
that we will see ourselves
through this crisis.
127
00:07:05,367 --> 00:07:08,737
We have now put some very
important measures in place.
128
00:07:08,734 --> 00:07:11,634
We have fiscal conservation,
we have reforms,
129
00:07:11,633 --> 00:07:15,363
and we have focus on
growth and jobs right now.
130
00:07:15,367 --> 00:07:19,767
In doing that, in this endeavor,
I think a closer transatlantic
131
00:07:19,767 --> 00:07:21,937
relationship will be important.
132
00:07:21,934 --> 00:07:24,704
We are dependent on each other
and we should have closer trade
133
00:07:24,700 --> 00:07:27,730
with each other, and I think
that would be part of creating
134
00:07:27,734 --> 00:07:31,164
sustainable growth
in our own countries.
135
00:07:31,166 --> 00:07:33,236
As you were saying,
Mr. President,
136
00:07:33,233 --> 00:07:38,363
we also have close ties
in terms of security.
137
00:07:38,367 --> 00:07:41,437
It is clear -- it has been
for a long time -- that Danish
138
00:07:41,433 --> 00:07:45,203
soldiers are serving alongside
American soldiers in
139
00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:49,330
Afghanistan, and I used the
opportunity today to thank
140
00:07:49,333 --> 00:07:53,003
you and the American people
for the great effort you have
141
00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:54,800
put in Afghanistan.
142
00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:57,030
It is greatly
appreciated worldwide.
143
00:07:57,033 --> 00:08:01,103
And I know that the Danish
people really appreciate the
144
00:08:01,100 --> 00:08:04,470
global leadership that you
and your people have taken
145
00:08:04,467 --> 00:08:07,337
also in that context.
146
00:08:07,333 --> 00:08:10,103
I look forward, of course,
to coming back to the States,
147
00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:13,370
to your hometown, Chicago, to
participate in the NATO summit.
148
00:08:13,367 --> 00:08:17,597
And what we will be discussing
there is Afghanistan, of course.
149
00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:21,970
One of the major issues there is
transition to the next phase in
150
00:08:21,967 --> 00:08:25,867
Afghanistan, and where -- what
we want to see is the Afghans
151
00:08:25,867 --> 00:08:28,097
taking responsibility
for their own security.
152
00:08:28,100 --> 00:08:31,000
And we are, in Europe, with
all the Danish leadership,
153
00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:37,200
trying to gather donors in this
-- in securing that the Afghans
154
00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:40,600
are capable of taking
over their own security.
155
00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,200
We have some great
samples of our alliance.
156
00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:46,670
We have worked together,
again, in Libya,
157
00:08:46,667 --> 00:08:54,497
where we made sure that Libya
came out on a path of democracy.
158
00:08:54,500 --> 00:08:57,500
And I think, again, the
Americans showed leadership
159
00:08:57,500 --> 00:08:59,630
in that context.
160
00:08:59,633 --> 00:09:02,833
Another area that we discussed,
as you've said, was Syria,
161
00:09:02,834 --> 00:09:05,304
which is quite the
opposite situation.
162
00:09:05,300 --> 00:09:08,000
It is horrendous what we
see in Syria right now.
163
00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:11,300
But I think it is also very,
very true that we have worked
164
00:09:11,300 --> 00:09:12,530
together in that area.
165
00:09:12,533 --> 00:09:16,463
We must continue that endeavor,
and just today we have seen
166
00:09:16,467 --> 00:09:20,137
that, of the leadership of
the League of Arab States,
167
00:09:20,133 --> 00:09:26,533
there has been a step forward in
trying to put pressure on Syria,
168
00:09:26,533 --> 00:09:27,903
which is very, very important.
169
00:09:27,900 --> 00:09:30,830
The same, of course,
goes for Iran.
170
00:09:30,834 --> 00:09:34,104
Another area in security where
we work together is in terms of
171
00:09:34,100 --> 00:09:37,430
piracy, and I used the
opportunity of thanking
172
00:09:37,433 --> 00:09:42,333
sincerely the President for the
courageous operation that led to
173
00:09:42,333 --> 00:09:45,903
the freeing of two aid workers
that worked for the Danish
174
00:09:45,900 --> 00:09:47,270
Refugee Council.
175
00:09:47,266 --> 00:09:50,396
They are now safe
because of the Americans.
176
00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:52,200
Thank you for that.
177
00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:56,700
So basically our security -- our
cooperation in terms of security
178
00:09:56,700 --> 00:09:59,530
are very great indeed.
179
00:09:59,533 --> 00:10:02,733
I will finish here just by
saying that I think our meeting
180
00:10:02,734 --> 00:10:05,734
here today has confirmed the
friendship and the alliance
181
00:10:05,734 --> 00:10:09,404
between our two countries.
182
00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:12,600
There's a lot we can do that --
you're always welcome to come to
183
00:10:12,600 --> 00:10:15,030
Denmark -- and I
think it is very,
184
00:10:15,033 --> 00:10:19,003
very important that we have
these kind of meetings to
185
00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:21,500
renew the friendship, and this
is what you've done today.
186
00:10:21,500 --> 00:10:22,170
Thank you.
187
00:10:22,166 --> 00:10:23,136
President Obama:
Thank you very much, everybody.