Danish Prime Minister on Sunday anticipated a difficult EU presidecny of her country in the first half of 2012 in her New Year's address to the nation.

"We must prepare ourselves for some lean years. The coming times will demand much from us," said Helle Thorning-Schmidt in her first such address as prime minister.

Denmark succeeds Poland as the head of the EU Council from Jan 1, 2012, and inherits the rotating leadership at a time when several EU economies are hit by sovereign debt problems, growing unemployment, and a weakening euro common currency.

The crisis has resulted in weak economic growth, rising unemployment, and austerity measures here in Denmark.

"Our goal is to bring Denmark safely through the crisis, and out on the other side of it with our wealth, decency and care for each other still intact," Thorning-Schmidt said.

In a veiled reference to policies of Denmark's previous center-right government, she said there had been "no control over the economy," leading to a public finance deficit of 100 billion Danish kroner (around 17.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2012.

Thorning-Schmidt promised to reform parts of the welfare and tax systems, tackle the budget deficit, improve competitiveness of Danish industry, and get people into work.

"We will have even tighter budgets in coming years, and must place even tougher demands on ourselves," she added, indicating the reform process would be difficult.

Referring to the EU presidency, Thorning-Schmidt said there are "great expectations of Denmark," but acknowledged it takes on the role at "a very difficult time."

"We will do our best to ensure that European countries can together achieve better economic control and boost growth. That is what will be needed to create jobs in Europe," she added.

Thorning-Schmidt leads a center-left coalition government that took office following a general election in mid-September. Its popularity has slumped in recent weeks over unmet electoral pledges and weak economic growth.

While the EU presidency is important for the government, analysts here do not believe it influences Danish voters, who are more worried about their economic future.

Analysts also question Denmark's influence as EU president, as the country is not a member of the euro zone, and therefore marginal to economic decisions affecting the euro common currency and the EU's most indebted economies.

However, Thorning-Schmidt has stressed in recent weeks that the Danish presidency will be a bridge between the 17-member euro zone, and the 10 EU members outside the euro.

Overall, the government's priorities for the presidency are a responsible, dynamic, green and safe Europe, the Danish presidency has said.

In particular, it aims to improve economic responsibility in Europe, partly through development and implementation of new fiscal rules proposed by EU leaders at a Dec. 9, 2011 summit in Brussels. The rules could come into force by March 2012, the EU says.

Meanwhile, EU expansion, green growth, job creation, improvement of the European single market, and improving Europe's competitiveness in the global market, are all on the presidency's agenda.

Some 1,500 official meetings are planned during the presidency, with Denmark chairing most EU budget meetings.

Denmark is part of the so-called trio-presidency, with Poland, which served Jul. to Dec. 2011, and Cyprus, which takes over in the second half of 2012.

As per their common program, the trio's "overall goal is to create greater consistency and coordination," the Danish presidency has said, adding it has the "same strong commitment to Europe as Poland has."

This is Denmark's seventh EU presidency, and it is holding the post for the first time since 2002, when it oversaw entry of 10 new member states to the EU.