Copenhagen - A majority of Danish voters support the introduction of the joint European currency, the euro, according to a survey published Thursday.

The survey commissioned by banking group Danske Bank suggested that 44 per cent of voters want to introduce the euro while 37.8 per cent were against replacing the krone.

However, almost one in five voters were undecided, indicating possible future swings in public opinion.

Danske Bank said 930 people were interviewed by telephone during November 1-17.

In the October survey, opponents of the euro had a slight edge with roughly 2 percentage points.

"Apparently the recent uncertainty about the Danish krone has contributed to the support for Danish cooperation with the EMU (European monetary union)," Danske Bank's chief economist Steen Bocian and economist Tore Damgaard Stramer said in a statement.

Media had for instance highlighted the higher mortgage rates in Denmark, they said.

The Danish parliament was to stage a hearing on the euro next year, but the government has yet to decide on a possible referendum.

Denmark joined the EU in 1973, but obtained opt-outs that include security and defence policy, justice and home affairs - the euro - after voters initially rejected the Maastricht Treaty in a 1992 referendum.

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and other leading politicians have become more critical of the opt-outs, as they have given Denmark less say in the 27-nation bloc. (dpa)