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 (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. These initiatives are a part of the "active foreign policy" of Denmark.
Instead of the traditional adaptative foreign policy of The unity of the Realm, Kingdom of Denmark is today pursuing an active foreign policy, where human rights, democracy and other crucial values are to be defended actively. In recent years, Greenland and the Faroe Islands have been guaranteed a say in foreign policy issues, such as fishing, whaling and geopolitical concerns.
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 an alternative parliamentary majority forced the government to adopt specific national positions on nuclear and arms control issues.
The alternative majority in these issues was because the Social liberal Party (Radikale Venstre) supported the governing majority in economic policy issues, but was against certain NATO policies and voted with the left in these issues. The conservative led Centre-right government accepted this variety of "minority parliamentarism", that is, without making it a question of the government's parliamentary survival. With the end of the Cold War, Denmark has been supportive of U.S. policy objectives in the Alliance.
Danes have a reputation as "reluctant" Europeans. When they rejected ratification of the Maastricht Treaty on 2 June 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 security and defense policy, a common currency, EU citizenship, and certain aspects of legal cooperation. The Amsterdam Treaty was approved in the referendum of 28 May 1998.
In the autumn of 2000, Danish citizens rejected membership of the Euro currency group in a referendum. The Lisbon treaty was ratified by the Danish parliament alone. It was not considered a surrendering of national sovereignty, which would have implied the holding of a referendum according to article 20 of the constitution.
History
In 1807 Denmark was neutral but Britain bombarded Copenhagen and seized the Danish Navy, Denmark became an ally of Napoleon. After Napoleon was profoundly defeated in Russia in 1812, the Allies repeatedly offered King Frederick VI a proposal to change sides and break with Napoleon. The king refused. Therefore, at the peace of Kiel in 1814, Denmark was forced to cede Norway to Sweden. Denmark thus became one of the chief losers of the Napoleonic Wars. Danish historiography portrayed King Frederick VI as stubborn and incompetent, and motivated by a blind loyalty to Napoleon. A more recent Danish historiographical approach emphasizes the Danish state was multi-territorial, and included the semi – separate Kingdom of Norway. It was dependent for food on grain imports controlled by Napoleon, and worried about Swedish ambitions. From the king's perspective, these factors called for an alliance with Napoleon. Furthermore, the king expected the war would end in a negotiated international conference, with Napoleon playing a powerful role that included saving Norway for Denmark.Michael Bregnsbo, "The motives behind the foreign political decisions of Frederick VI during the Napoleonic Wars." Scandinavian Journal of History 39.3 (2014): 335–352.Ole Feldbæk, "Denmark in the Napoleonic Wars: A Foreign Policy Survey." Scandinavian Journal of History 26.2 (2001): 89–101.
1900–1945
The Danish government responded to the First World War by declaring neutrality 1914–1918. It maintained that status until 1945 and accordingly adjusted trade; humanitarianism; diplomacy; and attitudes. The war thus reshaped economic relations and shifting domestic power balances.Karen Gram-Skjoldager, "Denmark during the First World War: Neutral policy, economy and culture." Journal of Modern European History 17.2 (2019): 234–250.
1990– Since the end of the Cold War, Denmark has become more supportive of U.S. foreign policy. Denmark supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and contributed assets to the invasion. Denmark also participated in the Afghanistan War. Denmark increased its participation in military and peacekeeping operations compared to the pre-Cold War period. Whereas Denmark only participated in 13 military operations from 1945 to 1989, Denmark participated in 76 military operations between 1990 and 2018.
International disputes North Pole. Denmark is trying to prove that the North Pole is geographically connected to Greenland. If such proof is established, the Kingdom will claim the North Pole.
Settled international disputes Hans Island. An island located between Greenland and Canadian Arctic islands. Unresolved boundary disputed between Canada and Denmark (The state of Denmark is responsible for Greenland's foreign relations). This dispute flared up again in July 2005 following the visit of a Canadian minister to the disputed island. On 14 June 2022 both countries agreed to split the disputed island in half. In accordance with the Greenland home rule treaty, Denmark handles certain foreign affairs, such as border disputes, on behalf of the entire Danish Realm.
Diplomatic relations List of countries which Denmark maintains diplomatic relations with: #CountryDate123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133—134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176—177178179180181182183184185186187
Bilateral relations
Europe Country Formal relations beganNotesSee Albania–Denmark relations Albania has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Tirana. Both countries are full members of NATO.Andorra is represented in Denmark through a non-resident ambassador based in Andorra La Vella. Denmark is represented in Andorra, through its embassy in Madrid.See Armenia–Denmark relations Armenia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark is represented in Armenia, through its embassy in Kyiv.See Austria–Denmark relations Austria has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Vienna. Both countries are full members of the European Union.See Azerbaijan–Denmark relations Azerbaijan is represented in Denmark, through its embassy in the United Kingdom. Denmark is represented in Azerbaijan, through its embassy in Turkey.See Belarus–Denmark relations Belarus is represented in Denmark, through its embassy in Sweden. Denmark is represented through its embassy in Moscow.See Belgium–Denmark relations Belgium has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Brussels. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Bosnia and Herzegovina–Denmark relations Bosnia and Herzegovina has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark is represented in Bosnia and Herzegovina through its embassy in Belgrade.See Bulgaria–Denmark relations Bulgaria has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Sofia. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. See Croatia–Denmark relations Croatia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Zagreb. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Cyprus–Denmark relations Cyprus has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Nicosia. Both countries are full members of the European Union.See Czech Republic–Denmark relations Czech Republic has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Prague. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Denmark–Estonia relations After the restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991, Denmark was the second country to re-establish diplomatic relations with Estonia on 24 August 1991. Denmark has an embassy in Tallinn. Estonia has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Denmark–Finland relations Finland has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark has an embassy in Helsinki.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Denmark–France relations Denmark has an embassy in Paris. France has an embassy in Copenhagen.
Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Denmark–Georgia relations Denmark is represented in Georgia through its embassy in Ukraine. Georgia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Denmark is an EU member and Georgia is an EU candidate.See Denmark–Germany relations Denmark has an embassy in Berlin. Germany has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO. See Denmark–Greece relations Denmark has an embassy in Athens. Greece has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.Denmark's diplomatic relations with the Vatican City were established in 1982 after having been suspended since the reformation in 1536. Denmark is represented in the Vatican City, through its embassy in Bern.See Denmark–Hungary relations Denmark has an embassy in Budapest. Hungary has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Denmark–Iceland relations Denmark has an embassy in Reykjavík. Iceland has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of NATO.See Denmark–Ireland relations Denmark has an embassy in Dublin and three honorary consulates (Cork, Limerick and Waterford). Ireland has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries became members of the European Union on 1 January 1973.See Denmark–Italy relations Denmark has an embassy in Rome, and a consulate general in Milan. Italy has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.See Denmark–Kosovo relations Denmark recognized Kosovo on 21 February 2008. Denmark is represented in Kosovo, through its embassy in Vienna.See Denmark–Latvia relations Denmark has an embassy in Riga. Latvia has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.Liechtenstein is represented in Denmark through its embassy in Switzerland.See Denmark–Lithuania relations Denmark has an embassy in Vilnius. Lithuania has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.Denmark is represented in Luxembourg through its embassy in Brussels, Belgium. Denmark also has a consulate in Luxembourg City. Luxembourg has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union and NATO.Denmark has a consulate general in Valletta. Malta has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the European Union.See Denmark–Moldova relations Denmark is represented in Moldova through its embassy in Bucharest. Moldova is represented in Denmark through its embassy in Berlin.