Estonia and Denmark

25.11.2009

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 24 August 1991.

In 1922, Flemming A.H. Lechrke was appointed Danish Ambassador to Estonia. He resided in Helsinki. A Consulate General was also opened In Tallinn. In 1939, Johan Oluf was appointed to Tallinn as Chargé d'Affaires a.i.

The first Danish Ambassador to Estonia following Estonia's restoration of independence was Sven Erik Nordberg (1991-1994) and was followed by Svend Roed Nielsen (1995-2000). He was followed by Jørgen Munk Rasmussen (2000-2005) and Kirsten Geelan. Since September 2009 Uffe A. Balslev has been the Danish Ambassador to Estonia.

Estonia's first foreign mission after World War II – the Baltic Information Centre – was opened in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 1990. The Estonian Embassy was opened in October 1991.

The first Estonian Ambassador to Denmark was Arvo Alas (1991-1996). Thereafter, Estonia was represented by Jüri Kahn (1996-2001) and Taavi Toom (2001-2006). As of September 2006, Meelike Palli is the Estonian Ambassador to Denmark.

Estonia also has six Honorary Consuls in Denmark: Søren Kjær in Northern and Middle Jutland, Jørgen Bast in the western part of North and Central Jutland, Ulrich Holstein-Holsteinborg in Holsteinborg, Elon Studsgaard in Bornholm, Bo Stærmose in Odense and Jóhan Páll Joensen on Faeroe Islands.

Visits

Bilateral Relations

Estonian and Danish relations have developed in a constructive and stable manner, resulting in close co-operation in political and economic matters, culture and defence. Constantly expanding trade is demonstrative of Estonia's traditionally good relations with Denmark, as are the increasing amounts of Danish investments that have flowed into Estonia.

In May 1993, Denmark became the first among the Nordic countries to sign an Agreement on the Abolition of Visa Requirements with Estonia.

On the international level, Denmark was a strong supporter of Estonia's efforts for accession to the EU and NATO. Danish support for EU enlargement was demonstrated by the fact that Denmark was the first state to ratify the Accession Treaty on 4 June 2003. Estonian-Danish relations are also dynamic in the frameworks of Nordic co-operation and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

The two parliaments also have good relations; over the years high-level visits as well as a number of working meetings have taken place. An Estonian-Danish parliamentary group was created in November 2007, and is led by Indrek Saar. Intensive co-operation is being effected in the framework of Nordic Baltic Eight (NB8) parliamentary co-operation.

In recent years, contacts have become so closely integrated that most projects and programmes are planned and carried out at the institutional and local government level. A number of Estonian and Danish local governments have signed bilateral co-operation agreements.

Denmark has been the largest provider of bilateral assistance to Estonia. From 1992-2003, Denmark supported Estonia with a total of 147 million EUR. The major part of the support has been used for environment programmes (incl. energetics, implementation of Baltic Agenda 21), for defence issues (support for the preparation for NATO membership) and for co-operation in the field of the European integration (the FEU programme). Upon the accession of Estonia to the EU in 2004, the assistance reached the minimal level and the finishing of projects in the final stage took place.

Defence co-operation between Estonia and Denmark has been good for years. Denmark has been the co-ordinator of several international projects helping to build the Baltic States defence system. It also assisted the Baltic countries with the establishment and the furthering of activities of BALTBAT, BALTRON and BALTNET. In March 1994, Estonia and Denmark signed a defence co-operation agreement that was the first bilateral agreement of its kind signed by Estonia and another country. Estonian peacekeeping units that participated in the NATO-led SFOR peace support operation in Bosnia were trained in Denmark. Currently an Estonian intelligence unit is serving under the Danish battalion in Kosovo. Also, Denmark has provided advanced training courses to officers of the Defence Forces, cadets and officials of the Ministry of Defence.

Bilateral co-operation projects have been continued after Estonia’s joining NATO as well. Regularly, once a year, political – military talks take place. Since 2007 defence co-operation has been project-based, rather than based on bilateral annual co-operation plans. At the same time, the general range of bilateral co-operation has not decreased.

Major recent co-operation projects:

• The Brigade Project (started in 2003) - (DATS – Danish Advisory and Training Staff) is the primary army co-operation project with Denmark, which has the goal of preparing Estonian officers for leading a brigade. In August 2009 an agreement was signed to tie the Estonian military’s 1st Infantry Brigade to the Danish Division;
• In 2006, the follow-up training of Estonian navy officers started within the tactics program of the Royal Danish Naval Academy, the Estonian Navy also participates in mine countermeasures exercises arranged by the Danish;
• In 2006, also co-operation was started in the preparation of specialists for short-range anti-aircraft missile system and in the training of a support team for air force base;
• Estonia together with Latvia and Lithuania will prepare a battalion (BALTPAT II) for the rotation of the NATO-led NRF-14 (NATO Response Force) in 2010, Estonia’s contribution will comprise up to 250 men;
• Since the inception of BALTDEFCOL, Denmark has been one of its most important supporters (the first commandant of the college was Danish brigadier general Clemmesen). Denmark contributes instructors to BALTDEFCOL, and also supports the studies of officers from Serbia and Croatia.

As of summer 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Andres Kütt resides in Copenhagen as Estonia’s Defence Attaché. As of February 2005, Navy Captain Victor Rasmussen, residing in Vilnius is the Danish Defence Attaché in Estonia (also in Latvia and Lithuania).

Estonia and Denmark have close co-operation in the field of the environment. One co-operation field is the reduction of greenhouse gases. A Memorandum of Understanding between Estonia and Denmark on co-operation for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol was signed in September 2003, but the agreement on its joint implementation was signed in December 2004.

Agreements

The following agreements are in force between Estonia and Denmark:

• Agreement on the Development of Economic, Industrial and Technical Co-operation (came into force 28.07.92);
• Agreement Concerning the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (came into force 24.02.93);
• Agreement Concerning the Abolition of Visas (came into force 01.05.93);
• Agreement on International Transport of Passengers and Goods by Road (came into force 27.08.93);
• Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters (came into force 25.11.93);
• Air Services Agreement (came into force 29.11.93);
• Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (came into force 30.12.93);
• Agreement for the employment of dependants of members of a diplomatic mission, consular office or mission to an international organization (came into force 27.02.02).
• Memorandum of Understanding on co-operation for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (came into force 25.09.03)
• Agreement on the Reciprocal Holding of Stocks of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products (came into force 07.04.05)

Economic Relations

As of 1 May 2004, the economic relations are regulated by the regulations of the EU's internal market.

* Pre and Post 1 May 2004 data are incomparable. After accession to the EU, the import is calculated on the basis of the sending country, earlier this was based on the country of origin.

In 2008, the total turnover of Estonian-Danish special trade was worth 504 million EUR, of which exports accounted for 274.8 million EUR and imports for 230 million EUR. Compared with 2007, exports to Denmark grew by 26% and imports from Denmark decreased by 12%. Denmark accounts for 2.6% of Estonia’s foreign trade, and ranks in 11th place out of Estonia’s trade partners.

Main export articles in 2008:

• Machinery and equipment – 27.6%
• Wood and wood products – 24.0%
• Metals and metal products – 14.0%
• Other manufactured goods – 12.7%

Main import articles in 2008:

• Machinery and equipment – 19.5%
• Animal products – 13.6%
• Chemical products – 12.9%
• Foodstuff and beverages – 10.7%

All economic figures originate from the Statistical Office of Estonia

Investments

According to Bank of Estonia data, Danish direct investments in Estonia totalled 421.8 million euros at the end of 2008, which is 3.7% of all foreign direct investments in Estonia. Denmark is ranked 4th among all foreign investors. Significant growth in the amount of investments took place in 2007 — at the end of 2006, Denmark ranked 9th among investors in Estonia.

Over half of Danish direct investments in Estonia are made in the processing industry and financial intermediation sectors, in addition to the real estate, transport and network, and wholesale and retail trade sectors. According to the Estonian enterprises register af of February 2009, there are more than 200 enterprises with Danish participation in Estonia. The biggest direct investments originating from Denmark have come to the following businesses: Loksa Laevatehase AS, OÜ Hobujaama Kinnisvara, ProGroup Holding OÜ.

Estonian direct investments in Denmark totalled 7.1 million euros at the end of 2008. Most Estonian direct investments are made in Danish wholesale and retail trade, maintenance, and real estate.

Tourism

In 2008, Estonian accommodation facilities registered 14,281 Danish tourists (a total of 31,684 overnight stays). In 2007, Estonia accommodation facilities were used by 14,053 Danish tourists (30,946 overnight stays). The number of Danish tourists increased by 1.6% last year and overnight stays increased by 2.4%. However, these figures do not represent the total number of tourists, since they do not include one-day visitors or people who use alternative lodging opportunities.

Culture

The Danish Cultural Institute in Tallinn (www.dankultur.ee), which was established in 1990 with the support of Denmark, plays an essential role in maintaining and developing Danish-Estonian cultural ties. Over the years, the institute has brought concert groups to Estonia, organised art exhibits, and provided the initiative to arrange a Danish film week and a Nordic film festival. The Danish Cultural Institute has also promoted the translation of Danish literature into Estonian and co-operated with various Estonian institutions in educational and social projects.

The Estonian-Danish Socity, which has been active since November 1991, has brought together Estonians who are interested in Danish language, culture and history. The Danes’ interest in Estonia is just as great—its sister organisation the Danish-Estonian Society has nearly 400 members. Estonians living in Denmark have formed the group “Estonian Home” (“Eesti Kodu”).

The Estonian Embassy in Copenhagen helps to promote the development of Estonian-Danish cultural relations by introducing the work of Estonian artists, musicians and other important figures of Estonian cultural life. Together with partners different projects have been implemented. In addition to that Estonian artists and musicians themselves have been active in intermediating their work to Danish audience and participating in national and international projects.

In addition to the works of Hans Christian Andersen and Søren Kirkegaard, the works of famous Danish authors Villy Sørensen, Karen Blixen, Steen Steensen Blicher and Peter Freuchen have also been translated into Estonian. Works of Estonian authors like Jaan Kaplinski, Viivi Luik, Emil Tode and Jaan Kross have been published in Danish.

The biggest culture event within the last few years was the celebration of Hans Christian Andersen’s 200th birthday in 2005 celebrated by an of Estonian artists.

The Embassy helped to give over a valuable collection of books, a gift from well-known Estonian historian Vello Helgi Honorary Doctor of University of Tartu, to Tartu University Library. The collection is of interest to historians, researchers of ecclesiastic history and national culture. It also complements university’s collections of Estonian Publications and Estonica.

The work of Arvo Pärt has earned recognition in Denmark on many occasions. In 2008 the Léonie Sonning Fund gave its music award and the accompanying prize to composer Arvo Pärt. This award is considered the highest musical recognition in Denmark. In September 2007, the recording by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir ”Da Pacem”, with Arvo Pärt’s music, won a Danish Music Award for best foreign recording. The Danish Music Award, which is given by Danish Radio, is one of the most important music awards in Denmark, and their presentation is a major event on the Danish music scene.

In honour of the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, Estonia is presenting Denmark, a great supporter of Estonia during the establishment of its independence and re-independence, with a musical gift. Two concerts took place within the framework of the Ministry of Culture’s “Musical Gift from a Musical Nation” project. The Estonian National Mens’ Choir, conducted by Mihhail Gertz, performed pieces by Estonian and Danish composers, as well as a piece dedicated to Denmark by the composer Urmas Sisask.

In 2008 the world premier of Erkki-Sven Tüür’s viola concerto Illuminatio took place in Sønderborg in 2008; the piece was performed by Danish viola player Lars Anders Tomter and the Sønderjyllands Symphonic Orchestra, one of the parties who ordered the piece. The Estonian premier of the piece took place in February 2009, for which the soloist was Lars Anders Tomter and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra was conducted by Olari Elts.