COPENHAGEN, April 24 (Xinhua) -- An international COVID-19 alliance of small countries held its first online meeting on Friday morning, with Denmark's participation and eager to join, according to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
"What characterizes this group of countries is that we have reacted quickly, markedly and in much the same way," Danish news agency Ritzau quoted Frederiksen as saying.
The alliance, started by Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, offers a forum for the exchanging of ideas and establishing "the plan to initiate strategic cooperation with each other in the future."
At Friday's meeting, apart from Denmark and Austria, leaders of the Czech Republic, Greece, Israel, Australia, and New Zealand were in attendance via the internet.
While enthusiastic over the virtues of the new alliance, Frederiksen took to Instagram to solidify her commitment to the "very, very important framework" of the EU when tackling COVID-19 in Denmark.
"The coronavirus crisis has revealed a vulnerability that is unsustainable -- both in Denmark, in Europe and like-minded countries. We depend on others when we need vital protective equipment such as mouthwashes and visors," she said.
"I have agreed with my European colleagues that Denmark, together with the Commission, is working on a common European strategy. We need to make sure that in the future we have domestic production and European as well." Enditem
