There are no problems with the fact that the Liberal politician Søren Gade is both the Speaker of the Danish Parliament and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Esbjerg. It is a completely biased criticism, says the CEO of the port, Dennis Jul Pedersen, after Tuesday's presentation of a new fleet plan that includes the possibility of Danish production of warships.
- The two things have nothing to do with each other. As a port, we have nothing to do with what our companies should bid and not bid for.
- We lease an area in a port, and that area is leased to companies that bid to build these warships, he says.
The statement comes in the wake of the Danish People's Party and the Danish Democrats announcing on Tuesday that they find the dual role problematic.
- If I were him, I would resign as chairman of the Port of Esbjerg. To bring everything to a halt, Alex Ahrendtsen (DF) told TV 2 on Tuesday.
Previously, the Alternative and the Unity List have criticized Søren Gade. This has spread the criticism to both sides of the political middle.
The Danish Democrats' Lise Bech emphasized that it is problematic because the Port of Esbjerg "has bid" on the new naval plan, which was presented on Tuesday. But that is not correct, says Dennis Jul Pedersen.
- We have not invested in building these warships. We have invested in creating some facilities so that we can support our allies, and I hope that someone will choose to prioritize that, he says.
The Port of Esbjerg is an official NATO port from which military hardware is shipped. And the director finds it obvious that a potential Danish production of frigates should be located in their port.
- When the ships are built, this is the best place. It is not only Denmark that has an interest when it comes to getting warships in and repaired and serviced. It is also Germany, England, France and the USA.
- It is not worth it if you have a problem with a warship in the North Sea in the future to have to sail it all the way to Odense, they say.
jel /ritzau/
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