Denmark takes over the presidency of the European Union from Spain on Monday, determined to push for EU expansion to enhance security and prosperity, not least its own.

A second major commitment is the Middle East, where the EU has become more and more involved.

The Danes are among the greatest eurosceptics in the EU. But the public is growing warmer to the single currency, the euro, although Denmark has so far declined to join. The mood is also positive to enlargement.

Immigration will also be a major issue. The EU summit in Madrid in June made a start on a common policy to curb illegal immigration which has caused increased concern in the EU.

The conservative Danish government of Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has already taken its own national measures which prompted some concern both by the United Nations and among other EU states.

Eurosceptic or not, most Danes favours enlarging the EU, says a new opinion poll, with 62 percent favouring former communist bloc countries joining.

Rasmussen has said he is determined "to succeed at all costs in the historic gamble of enlargement.

Principal among membership candidates are former east bloc states Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic - the now independent western part of what was Czechoslovakia.

Rasmussen feels sure of the backing of his people for his vision of "a Europe too long divided which must seize the chance to unite at last."

Political scientist Roger Buch commented: "It's a paradox watching the way the Danes look on sceptically at the great projects of European construction and increased cooperation, yet welcome an enlarged Europe with open arms."

Buch, of Odense University, said Danes see enlargement as a way of strengthening and increasing Europe's influence, especially in globalised competition with competitors in Asia and the United States:

"Danes are pragmatists. They see enlargment as an opportunity to promote peace and their own security, and they're willing to pay a price, even job losses at home to the benefit of newcomers from the east or competition from low-price goods from these countries."

The foreign ministry says the estimated 120 kroner (16.12 euro/15.97 US dollars) cost of enlargement to each Danish citizen is a good investment because Denmark will enjoy an export boom to the 10 countries applying to join the EU.

Most Danes are now willing to join the single European currency, the euro, after rejecting it two years ago, according to a Gallup poll published early June.

But the government will face disruptive tactics from the most determined euro-sceptics in Parliament.

Out of eight parties, four are euro-sceptic including the People's Socialists, the ex-communist Unity List, the Christians and the extreme right-wing Danish People's Party.

All are planning various anti-EU initatives during Denmark's six-month tenure of office as rotating EU president-state.

This could be a problem because Rasmussen does not have a working majority and depends on the goodwill of the Danish People's Party, its only parliamentary ally.

The government has announced its own proposals on the controversial topic of immigration aimed at reducing the number of foreigners allowed into the country.

The crackdown has drawn expressions of concern from three other EU member states.

The country elected its first right-wing majority in 80 years last November, prompting immigrant and anti-racism associations to express concern over plans to toughen immigration policy.