Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Denmark has taken over the rotating European Union presidency at a time of crisis, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said, listing four priorities the Nordic country will work for during its six-month term.

Denmark will work for a “responsible Europe” with budget discipline among member countries, Thorning-Schmidt said today at a Copenhagen press meeting. The country will also work to boost economic growth on the continent, promote green energy investments and improve safety, the premier said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Peter Levring in Copenhagen at plevring1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christian Wienberg at cwienberg@bloomberg.net