 | |
 Denmark |  Finland |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Denmark, Helsinki | Embassy of Finland, Copenhagen |
Denmark recognized Finland on 10 January 1918 and the two countries established diplomatic relations on 18 February 1918. [1] Denmark has an embassy in Helsinki, while Finland has an embassy in Copenhagen. [1] Both countries are members of the European Union, Nordic Council, Council of the Baltic Sea States, and NATO.
After the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1918, Armas Saastamoinen was appointed envoy to Denmark and played an important role in fostering relations between the two countries. [2] He assumed his role in October 1918, after having been Chargé d'affaires since April same year. [3]
In October 1926, Finnish President Relander visited Denmark and visited King Christian X, who would visit Finland in May 1928. During the Winter War, over a thousand Danes volunteered to fight on the Finnish side, even though only some pilots reached the frontline before the end of the war. Around 200 Danish volunteers took part in the Continuation War. Around 4,000 Finnish war children were sent to Denmark during the war, of which 350 remained in the country after the war. After the war, when Finland joined the Nordic Council in 1955, contact between the two countries intensified. [2]
The foreign policy of Denmark is based on its identity as a sovereign state in Europe, the Arctic and the North Atlantic. As such its primary foreign policy focus is on its relations with other nations as a sovereign state compromising the three constituent countries: Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Denmark has long had good relations with other nations. It has been involved in coordinating Western assistance to the Baltic states.
The Republic of Estonia gained its independence from the Russian Empire on 24 February 1918 and established diplomatic relations with many countries via membership of the League of Nations. The forcible incorporation of Estonia into the Soviet Union in 1940 was not generally recognised by the international community and the Estonian diplomatic service continued to operate in some countries. Following the restoration of independence from the Soviet Union, Russia was one of the first nations to re-recognize Estonia's independence. Estonia's immediate priority after regaining its independence was the withdrawal of Russian forces from Estonian territory. In August 1994, this was completed. However, relations with Moscow have remained strained primarily because Russia decided not to ratify the border treaty it had signed with Estonia in 1999.
The foreign relations of Finland are the responsibility of the president of Finland, who leads foreign policy in cooperation with the government. Implicitly the government is responsible for internal policy and decision making in the European Union. Within the government, preparative discussions are conducted in the government committee of foreign and security policy, which includes the Prime Minister and at least the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence, and at most four other ministers as necessary. The committee meets with the President as necessary. Laws concerning foreign relations are discussed in the parliamentary committee of foreign relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs implements the foreign policy.
Being part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the foreign relations of Greenland are handled in cooperation with the Danish government and the Government of Greenland.
The foreign relations of Norway are based on the country's membership in NATO and within the workings of the United Nations (UN). Additionally, despite not being a member of the European Union (EU), Norway takes a part in the integration of EU through its membership in the European Economic Area. Norway's foreign ministry includes both the minister of foreign affairs and minister of international development.
Iceland took control of its foreign affairs in 1918 when it became a sovereign country, the Kingdom of Iceland, in a personal union with the King of Denmark. As a fully independent state, Iceland could have joined the League of Nations in 1920, but chose not to do so for cost reasons. It negotiated with Denmark to initially carry out most of its foreign relations, while maintaining full control. Denmark appointed a diplomatic envoy (Ambassador) to Iceland in 1919 and Iceland reciprocated in 1920, opening an Embassy in Copenhagen. Iceland established its own Foreign Service in April 1940 when Denmark became occupied by Nazi Germany and ties between the two countries were severed. The Republic of Iceland was founded in 1944. The Icelandic foreign service grew slowly in the post-WWII period, but increased rapidly after the mid-1990s. Iceland's closest relations are with the Nordic states, the European Union and the United States. Iceland has been a member of the United Nations since 1946. Iceland was a founding member of the World Bank in 1946 and NATO in 1949. In terms of European integration, Iceland was a founding member of the OEEC in 1948 and the Nordic Council in 1952, it joined EFTA in 1970, was a founding member of the CSCE in 1973 and the EEA in 1992 and joined Schengen in 1996.
The Scandinavian defence union was a historical idea to establish a military alliance between Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark after the end of World War II, but the idea did not come about when Denmark, Iceland and Norway joined NATO in 1949 at the request of the United States, while Finland and Sweden did not.
Finland and Sweden share a long history, similar legal systems, and an economic and social model. Finland was part of Sweden for almost 700 years from around 1150 until the Finnish War of 1809 after which Finland became an autonomous part of the Russian Empire as the Grand Duchy of Finland. Since Finland gained its full independence from Russia in 1917, Finland and Sweden have been close partners, enjoying a special relationship. The number of Finnish-Swedish connections and the quality of cooperation in most areas of the government is unique when compared to other international relations involving both countries. The Swedish language has an official status in Finland, whilst Finns form the largest ethnic minority in Sweden, estimated to be about 675,000.
Finland and the United States currently have good relations. The United States recognized Finland on May 7, 1919 after it declared independence in 1917, and officially established diplomatic relations in 1920. Due to World War II and Soviet pressure, relations were suspended between 1942 and 1945 before being raised to embassy level in 1954. Finland has been of strategic importance to the United States due to its position bordering the Soviet Union and later Russia, and after the end of the Cold War in 1991 Finland's shift to the West has led to warmer relations. There is significant trade activity, including military procurement, between the two countries.
Cyprus–Denmark relations refers to the current and historical relations between Cyprus and Denmark. Cyprus has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Nicosia. Diplomatic relations were established on 2 November 1960. Both countries are members of the European Union.
Denmark–Poland relations refers to the bilateral relations between Denmark and Poland. Relations between the two countries date back to the Middle Ages, while modern diplomatic relations were established on 8 September 1919. During the 20th century, relations were turbulent but amicable. The two countries moreover maintained a maritime border dispute until 2018 when it was delineated.
Denmark recognized and established diplomatic relations with Estonia on 5 February 1921. Relations were renewed on 24 August 1991 as Denmark has never recognized Soviet occupation of the country. Both countries are members of the European Union, NATO and the Nordic-Baltic Eight. Denmark has an embassy in Tallinn, and Estonia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has a military presence in Estonia, and Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas described Denmark as a close friend in 2020.
Denmark–Iceland relations are the diplomatic relations between Denmark and Iceland. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, Nordic Council, NATO, and Council of Europe.
Norway and Sweden have a very long history together. They were both part of the Kalmar Union between 1397 and 1523, and a personal union between 1814 and 1905. The countries established diplomatic relations in 1905, after the dissolution of the union.
Denmark–Ukraine relations are the current and historical relations between Denmark and Ukraine. Denmark recognized Ukraine on 31 December 1991, and diplomatic relations were established on 12 February 1992.
Denmark–Lithuania relations refers to the historical and current diplomatic relations between Denmark and Lithuania. Lithuania has an embassy in Copenhagen, and Denmark has an embassy in Vilnius. Denmark first recognized Lithuania in 1921 and again on 28 February 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Diplomatic relations were established on 24 August 1991. The Danish recognition in 1991 has been described as "extremely important for Lithuania". Both countries are members of the European Union, NATO, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and Council of Europe.
Denmark–Latvia relations refers to the historical and current diplomatic relations between Denmark and Latvia. Denmark has an embassy in Riga and Latvia has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Denmark–Philippines relations refer to the bilateral relations between Denmark and the Philippines. Denmark has an embassy in Manila, and the Philippines has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Iceland–Sweden relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Iceland and Sweden. Both nations are Nordic countries and are members of the Arctic Council, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Council of Europe, NATO, Nordic-Baltic Eight, Nordic Council, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the United Nations.
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