Denmark's Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Danes should have the opportunity to vote on the country's four opt-outs from European Union cooperation, including the euro common currency, during the coming four years. "The time is approaching. It is the government's view that the people in this parliamentary term should have the opportunity to take a stance on the Danish EU opt-outs," Rasmussen told a news conference.

The country's opt-outs mean that Denmark can stay outside the development of the European Union in four specific areas: the common currency, the euro - which Danes rejected in a referendum in 2000 - and defence and justice and home affairs policies.

Rasmussen said the opt-outs harmed Danish interests.

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