LONDON (Standard&Poor's) May 6, 2003--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it assigned its 'AAA' long-term senior unsecured debt rating to the Kingdom of Denmark's (AAA/Stable/A-1+) five-year Euro benchmark bond, which was launched today. "The ratings on Denmark reflect its enviable track record of macroeconomic stability, underpinned by prudent fiscal management and structural reform," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst David Cooling. Policymakers' longstanding commitment to fiscal discipline remains robust. With the general government accounts expected to remain in surplus for the seventh consecutive year, and for the foreseeable future, the general government debt burden is forecast to decline to 42% of GDP by year-end 2003, and to 38% of GDP by year-end 2005. The sustained decline in
