‘Unacceptable!’ Macron demands answers from Joe Biden over EU spying reports
Angela Merkel’s speech interrupted at Bundestag
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Reports have emerged that US intelligence has been monitoring EU politicians such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It has also been claimed that espionage efforts by the Biden administration were aided by Denmark. After meeting with Ms Merkel, Mr Macron told reporters: “If the information is correct, then that’s unacceptable between allies”.
He added: “It is even less so between European allies.
“We expect complete openness and a clarification of the facts from our Danish and American partners.”
Denmark’s defence minister Trine Bramsen did not comment on “speculation” about intelligence matters in the Danish media.
Mr Bramsen in a statement said: “I can more generally say that this government has the same attitude as the former prime Mmnister expressed in 2013 and 2014.
MUST READ: Brexit LIVE: You can’t replace us! French expert mocks UK trade deals
“We have said that systematic wiretapping of close allies is unacceptable,”
The French president wants to discover if spying attempts by the US have occurred in the past and also to determine “which practices are still going on today”.
He said it was essential to maintain trust between the US and Europe.
He added that “there’s no room for suspicion between us”.
DON’T MISS
EU ramps up Brexit crackdown on London in latest banks power grab [INSIGHT]
Gibraltar panic: EU ordered to act as key deadline nears [REVEALED]
Macron mocked by Britons as bitter Brexit warning backfires [COMMENT]
It was reported by Bloomberg that Ms Merkel has sided with Mr Macron in wishing to discover whether the US is spying on European politicians.
Denmark’s state broadcaster DR said that they had viewed a classified report stating the Danish Defense Intelligence Service allowed the US National Security Agency to make use of the nation’s internet cables for spying on Ms Merkel and politicians in France, Sweden and Norway.
Denmark is a key landing station for subsea internet cables in Europe.
The nation is a landing station for internet cables to and from Sweden, Norway, Germany, Holland and Britain.
Denmark is one of the US’s closest allies in Europe.
During the administration of President Barack Obama Wikileaks reported that Washington had bugged the phone of Ms Merkel and other world leaders.
At the time Mr Obama vowed the US wouldn’t spy again on Germany during his tenure.
The US National Security Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) declined to comment on the claims of espionage.
A spokesperson for the Danish Defence Intelligence Service also declined to comment.
Source: Read Full Article