Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Danish Defense Minister Peter Christensen today in Stuttgart, Germany, following a meeting of defense ministers from countries leading the coalition effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement issued today.
Carter thanked Christensen for Denmark's recent decision to expand its role in the counter-ISIL military campaign, including the authority to participate in the full spectrum of combat operations in Iraq and Syria, Cook said.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the European security environment, looking forward to NATO’s upcoming summit, Cook added.
Carter also thanked Christensen for Denmark's continued contributions to NATO regional security, including: deploying F-16 fighter aircraft to the Baltics, ballistic missile defense, and support for the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, Cook said.
Carter reiterated the importance of Denmark creating a plan to fulfill the Wales Defense Investment pledge to spend 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense, the press secretary said.
The defense secretary also thanked Christensen for Denmark's leadership in Arctic security, he added, including the recent improvements to its patrol posture.