Foreign relations of Denmark

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Danish foreign policy is founded upon four cornerstones: the United Nations, NATO, the EU, and Nordic cooperation. Denmark also is a member of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund; the World Trade Organization (WTO); the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE); the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the Council of Europe; the Nordic Council; the Baltic Council; and the Barents Council. Denmark emphasizes its relations with developing nations and contributes 0.8% of GNP to development assistance.^[1]

In the wake of the Cold War, Denmark has been active in international efforts to integrate the countries of Central and Eastern Europe into the West. It has played a leadership role in coordinating Western assistance to the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). The country is a strong supporter of international peacekeeping. Danish forces were heavily engaged in the former Yugoslavia in the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR), with IFOR, and now SFOR. Denmark also strongly supported American operations in Afghanistan and has contributed both monetarily and materially to the ISAF.

Following World War II, Denmark ended its two-hundred year long policy of neutrality. Denmark has been a member of NATO since its founding in 1949, and membership in NATO remains highly popular. There were several serious confrontations between the U.S. and Denmark on security policy in the so-called "footnote era" (1982-88), when a hostile parliamentary majority forced the government to adopt specific national positions on nuclear and arms control issues. With the end of the Cold War, however, Denmark has been supportive of U.S. policy objectives in the Alliance. Denmark is not a member of the Western European Union but does hold observer status.

Danes have enjoyed a reputation as "reluctant" Europeans. When they rejected ratification of the Maastricht Treaty on June 2, 1992, they put the EC's plans for the European Union on hold. In December 1992, the rest of the EC agreed to exempt Denmark from certain aspects of the European Union, including a common defense, a common currency, EU citizenship, and certain aspects of legal cooperation. The Amsterdam Treaty was approved in the referendum of May 28, 1998. In the autumn of 2000, Danish citizens rejected membership of the Euro currency group in a referendum.

[edit] Disputes - international

Rockall. A continental shelf dispute involving Iceland, Ireland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area)

Hans Island. An island located between Greenland and Canadian Arctic islands. Unresolved boundary disputed between Canada and Denmark (Denmark controls Greenland's foreign relations). This dispute flared up again in July 2005 following the visit of a Canadian minister to the disputed island.

North Pole. Denmark is trying to prove that the North Pole is geographically connected to Greenland. If such proof is established, Denmark will claim the North Pole.

Maritime border with Poland. Denmark and Poland have still not agreed on the location of the maritime border between the two countries. Denmark supports a border half-way between the two countries; Poland wants to be awarded an even greater share of the Baltic Sea. The Polish position is based on the argument that Poland owns a longer coast line than Danish island of Bornholm.

[edit] Bilateral Relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Argentina	1841-01-20	Argentina has an embassy in Copenhagen and Denmark has an embassy in Buenos Aires. Argentina Foreign Ministry: List of bilateral treaties with Iceland (in Spanish) Danish embassy in Buenos Aires (in Danish and Spanish only)
Armenia		See Armenia–Denmark relations
Australia		See Australia–Denmark relations
Austria		See Austria–Denmark relations
Belarus		See Belarus–Denmark relations
Brazil		See Brazil–Denmark relations
Bulgaria		See Bulgaria–Denmark relations
Canada		See Canada–Denmark relations
Cyprus		See Cyprus–Denmark relations
Czech Republic		See Czech Republic – Denmark relations
Estonia	1991-08-24	Denmark first recognised Estonia's independence in 1921. After the restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991, Denmark was the second country after Iceland to re-establish diplomatic relations with Estonia on August 24, 1991. Denmark has an embassy in Tallinn.^[2] Estonia has an embassy in Copenhagen and 4 honorary consulates (in Aarhus, Holsteinborg, Rønne and Odense).^[3] Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO and of the European Union. Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark
Finland	1918-02-18	Denmark recognised Finland's independence on January 10, 1918. Finland has an embassy in Copenhagen and three honorary consulate generals in Copenhagen, Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) and Nuuk (Greenland) and other honorary consulates in Esbjerg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Helsingør, Herning, Odense, Rønne, Svendborg, Vejle, Aalborg and Aarhus. Denmark has an embassy in Helsinki.^[4] Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of the European Union, and of the Nordic Council. Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland about relations with Denmark
France		Denmark has an embassy in Paris.^[5] France has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[6] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. French Foreign Affairs Ministry about relations with Denmark
Greece		Denmark has an embassy in Athens and an honorary consulate in Thessaloniki.^[7] Greece has an embassy in Copenhagen and 2 honorary consulates in Arhus and Tórshavn.^[8] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark
Hungary		Denmark has an embassy in Budapest.^[9] Hungary has an embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Aarhus.^[10] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Iceland		See Denmark–Iceland relations Iceland was a part of the Kingdom of Denmark from 1814 to 1918 and a separate kingdom in a personal union with Denmark until 1944, when Iceland declared independence. Denmark has an embassy in Reykjavík. Iceland has an embassy in Copenhagen.
India		Denmark has an embassy in New Delhi and a general consulate in Mumbai.^[11] India has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[12]
Iran		See Denmark–Iran relations In 1933, a Danish consulate was established in Tehran which was later upgraded to an embassy. Following a state visit in 1958, Iran established an embassy in Copenhagen.
Iraq		See Denmark–Iraq relations Denmark has an embassy in Baghdad and a trade office in Basra. Iraq has an embassy in Copenhagen. On March 21, 2003, the Danish Parliament made a fateful decision to support U.S. military action in Iraq and, in fact, contribute naval assets to the war. In 2006, the Iraqi Transport Minister Salam al-Malki announced freezing all economic relations with Danish and Norwegian companies in protest against insulting cartoons published in the countries newspapers.^[13]
Ireland	1920s	Denmark has an embassy in Dublin.^[14] Ireland has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[15] Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and of the European Union.
Israel	1949	Denmark has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 3 honorary consulates (in Eilat, Haifa and Jerusalem).^[16] Israel has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[17] Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean. As a result of Denmark's unique role in saving the lives of all Danish jews during WWII the Yad Vashem declared the entire country Righteous Among the Nations. See also History of the Jews in Denmark
Italy		Denmark has an embassy in Rome and a general consulate in Milan and 2 consulates (in Genoa and Naples).^[18]^[19] Italy has an embassy in Copenhagen and 5 honorary consulates (in Aalborg, Aarhus, Nuuk, Odense and Tórshavn).^[20] Both countries are full members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, of the European Union and of NATO.
Japan	1867	Both countries established diplomatic relations and exchanged diplomatic missions on a reciprocal basis after conclusion of the "Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Japan and Denmark" in 1867. Denmark has an embassy in Tokyo.^[21] Japan has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[22] Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark
Kosovo	2008-02-21	Denmark recognized Kosovo on 21 February 2008.^[23] Ambassador of Denmark to Kosovo, subordinate to the Embassy in Vienna, Austria from 6 March 2008.^[24]
Latvia	1921-02-07	After the fall of the USSR, relations were re-established in August 24, 1991. Denmark has an embassy in Riga.^[25] Latvia has an embassy in Copenhagen and 2 honorary consulates (in Bornholm and Middelfart).^[26] Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO and of the European Union. Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark
Lithuania	1991-08-24	Denmark has an embassy in Vilnius.^[27] Lithuania has an embassy in Copenhagen and 6 honorary consulates (in Aakirkeby, Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Kolding and Skive).^[28] Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO and of the European Union. Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign affairs: list of bilateral treaties with Denmark (in Lithuanian only)
Luxembourg		Denmark has an embassy in the city of Luxembourg.^[29] Luxembourg has an embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Aalborg. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, the European Union, and NATO.
Mexico	1827	See Denmark–Mexico relations Diplomatic relations were started in 1827 with a Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Navigation^[30] and a commercial treaty based on the treaty Porfirio Díaz had signed with England.^[31] Mexico has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Mexico City.
Netherlands		Both countries have diplomatic relations since the XVI century. Denmark has an embassy in The Hague.^[32] The Netherlands have an embassy in Copenhagen and 8 honorary consulates (in Aalborg, Aarhus, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Nuuk, Odense, Rønne, and Tórshavn).^[33] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union. Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark (in Dutch only)
New Zealand		See Denmark – New Zealand relations Neither country has a resident ambassador. Denmark is represented in New Zealand through its embassy in Canberra (Australia), through a Trade Commission in Auckland and an honorary consulate in Wellington. New Zealand is represented in Denmark through its embassy in The Hague (Netherlands) and an honorary consulate in Copenhagen.
Norway	1905	See Denmark–Norway relations Both countries have a very long history together, both countries were part of the Kalmar Union between 1397 and 1523. Norway was in Union with Denmark between 1537 and 1814.
Pakistan		See Denmark–Pakistan relations Pakistan has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Islamabad.
People's Republic of China		See People's Republic of China – Denmark relations
Poland		Denmark has an embassy in Warsaw. Furthermore there are 6 consulates located in the cities of: Gdansk, Krakow, Lodz, Poznan, Szczecin and Wroclaw. Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Romania	1917-04-13	Denmark has an embassy in Bucharest.^[34] Romania has an embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Torring.^[35] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Russia	1924-06-18	See Denmark–Russia relations Russia has an embassy in Copenhagen and a consulate in Tórshavn. Denmark has an embassy in Moscow, a Consulate-General in Saint Petersburg, and a nhonorary consulate in Kaliningrad. Both countries border the Baltic Sea and are members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
Serbia		Denmark has an embassy in Belgrade.^[36] Serbia has an embassy in Copenhagen. There are around 12,000 people of Serbian descent living in Denmark. Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark
Slovakia	1993	Denmark has an embassy in Bratislava.^[37] Slovakia has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[38] Both countries are full members of NATO and of the European Union.
Slovenia	1992-01-20	Denmark has an embassy in Ljubljana.^[39] Slovenia has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[40] Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, of NATO and of the European Union.
South Africa		Denmark has an embassy in Pretoria and a general consulate in Johannesburg.^[41] South Africa first opened a Consulate General in Copenhagen on September 1, 1975 and it was upgraded to an embassy in May 1990. South African Department of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark
South Korea	1959-03-31	During the Korean War, Denmark has sent medical staff to support South Korea and the United Nations troops. Denmark has an embassy in Seoul.^[42] South Korean has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[43] In October 2007, Queen of Denmark visited Seoul for the first time after the official diplamacy between both nations.^[44] Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tarde about relations with Denmark
Sweden		See Denmark–Sweden relations Both countries have a very long history together, both countries were part of the Kalmar Union between 1397 and 1523. There have been 11 Dano-Swedish wars between 1521 and 1814.
Syria	1992-08-29	See Denmark–Syria relations Denmark is represented in Syria through its embassy in Damascus. Syria has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Thailand	1858	Denmark has an embassy in Bangkok.^[45] Thailand has an embassy in Copenhagen.^[46] On June 30, 1992, a Danish-Thai Chamber of Commerce was established in Bangkok.^[47] Danish embassy in Bangkok: history of bilateral relations
Tunisia	1959	Denmark is represented in Tunisia through its embassy in Algiers (Algeria) and through an honorary consulate in Tunis.^[48] Tunisia is represented in Denmark through its embassy in The Hague (Netherlands) and an honorary consulate in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the Union for the Mediterranean. Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about relations with Denmark (in French only)
Turkey		See Danish–Turkish relations Denmark has an embassy in Ankara and an honorary consulate in Istanbul. Turkey has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Ukraine	1992	Denmark has an embassy in Kiev.^[49] Ukraine has an embassy in Copenhagen and an honorary consulate in Aarhus.^[50] Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: development programs with Ukraine
United Kingdom		See Denmark – United Kingdom relations The United Kingdom has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in London.
United States		See Denmark – United States relations Denmark is a close NATO ally, and overall U.S.-Danish relations are excellent.
Vietnam	1971-11-25	See Denmark–Vietnam relations Since April 1, 1994, Denmark has an embassy in Hanoi. Since August 12, 2000, Vietnam has an embassy in Copenhagen. There are around 8,500 Vietnamese living in Denmark.