Daily US Times: European powers, including France and Germany have pressed the United States and Denmark over spying allegations that the two worked together to spy on top politicians in Europe, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Denmark’s Defence Intelligence Service (FE) collaborated with the US National Security Agency (NSA) to gather information from 2012 to 2014, according to Danish broadcaster DR.

German Chancellor Merkel is among those demanding answers.

Both the NSA and FE are yet to comment about the spying allegations

Trine Bramsen, Denmark’s Defence Minister, did not deny or confirm the report but told AFP news agency that “systemic eavesdropping of close allies is unacceptable”. The minister was not in charge of the ministry during the alleged spying.

After speaking with Ms Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron said: “This is not acceptable between allies, and even less between allies and European partners.”

Mrs Merkel said she agreed with the French president’s comments, but that she was also reassured by the Danish defence minister’s condemnation.

Intelligence was allegedly collected on other officials from France, Sweden, Germany and Norway. Those nations have also called for explanations about the issue.

Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway told public broadcaster NRK: “It’s unacceptable if countries which have close allied co-operation feel the need to spy on one another.”

The NSA is said to have accessed phone conversations and text messages of a number of prominent individuals by tapping into Danish internet cables in co-operation with the FE.

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