Estonia and Denmark

15.12.2011

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.

The first Danish Ambassador to Estonia following Estonia's restoration of independence was Otto Borch, who was sent from Copenhagen on 26 August 1991, just days after the re-establishment of diplomatic relations. Borch was followed by Sven Erik Nordberg (1991-1994), who was followed by Svend Roed Nielsen (1995-2000). He was followed by Jørgen Munk Rasmussen (2000-2005) and Kirsten Rosenvold Geelan (2005-2009). 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 has been represented by Jüri Kahn (1996-2001), Taavi Toom (2001-2006) and Meelike Palli (2006-2011). As of August 2011, Katrin Kivi is the Estonian Ambassador to Denmark.

Estonia also has five honorary consuls in Denmark: Søren Claus Kjær in Northern and Middle Jutland, Ulrich Holstein-Holsteinborg in Holsteinborg, Elon Studsgaard in Bornholm, Bo Stærmose in Odense, and Thomas Graversen in South Jutland.

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 framework 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.

In 2007 Danish-Estonian Chamber of Commerce was established in Estonia.

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. energy, the implementation of Baltic Agenda 21), for defence issues (support for the preparation for NATO membership), and for co-operation in the field of 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 on a good level for years. Denmark has been the co-ordinator of several international projects that have helped to build up the Baltic states’ defence systems. It also assisted the Baltic countries with the establishment of BALTBAT, BALTRON and BALTNET and the following activities. In March 1994, Denmark and Estonia signed a defence co-operation agreement, which for Estonia was the first bilateral framework agreement in the field of defence co-operation. The Estonian peacekeeping units that participated in the NATO-led SFOR peace support operation in Bosnia were trained in Denmark, as was the Estonian reconnaissance unit that served under the Danish battalion in Kosovo. Also, Denmark has provided advanced training courses to officers of the Defence Forces and cadets and officials of the Ministry of Defence. Denmark and Estonia are fighting side by side in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, where they are the largest contributors together with the UK units.

Bilateral co-operation projects have continued after Estonia joined the NATO in 2004. Recently, co-operation in the field of arms control has been developing rapidly.

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 concerning training;
• In 2006, the follow-up training of Estonian naval officers started within the tactics program of the Royal Danish Naval Academy; the Estonian Navy also participated in mine clearing exercises arranged by the Danes;
• Since the inception of the Baltic Defence College, Denmark has been one of its most important supporters (the first commandant of the college was the Danish brigadier (general) Clemmesen), contributing to BALTDEFCOL with instructors and supporting the studies of officers from Serbia and Croatia. Today, Denmark continues to contribute to the College with instructors and students;
• Since December 2010 the instructors of the Estonian Defence League and the Danish Home Guard (Hjemmeværnet) are together carrying out additional training in pedagogy and leadership for the members of the Georgian Home Guard;

As of summer 2010, Lieutenant Colonel Toomas Peda resides in Copenhagen as Estonia’s defence attaché. As of April 2008, Navy Captain Ulf M. Berthelsen residing in Vilnius is the Danish defence attaché to Estonia (also to Latvia and Lithuania)

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

In 2010 Denmark came in 12th place among Estonia’s trade partners, making up 2.2% of Estonia’s total foreign trade. The total turnover of Estonia-Denmark trade was 394 million euros, with export totalling 218.6 million euros (9th place) and import 175.4 million euros (12th place). This meant a surplus of 43 million euros for Estonia.

In the first half of 2011 Denmark found itself in 14th place among Estonia’s trade partners. The total trade turnover was 369.4 million euros and the balance was positive for Estonia by 78.9 millions euros. Exports totalled 224.2 million euros (placing Denmark in 11th place) and imports 145.2 euros (14th place).

Trade 2005 - 2011 (mln EUR)

Main export articles in first half of 2011 (% of total export):

• Mineral products, 41 million euros – 24.2%
• Wood and wood products, 39.5 million euros – 23.4%
• Other manufactured goods, 32.4 million euros – 19.2%
• Machinery and equipment, 26.4 million euros – 15.6%

Main import articles in first half of 2011 (% of total import): 

• Machinery and equipment, 18.6 million euros – 20.3%
• Animal products, 17.2 million euros – 18.8%
• Chemical products, 11.5 million euros – 12.5%
• Foodstuffs and beverages, 10.1 million euros – 11%

All economic figures originate from the Statistical Office of Estonia

Investments

At the peak of the investment boom Denmark was 4th among investors, but during the economic downturn investments have decreased considerably. According to Bank of Estonia data, Danish direct investments in Estonia totalled 285 million euros at the end of 2010, which is 2.3% of all foreign direct investments in Estonia. Denmark is ranked 11th among all foreign investors.

According to Bank of Estonia data, after the first half of 2011 Denmark’s direct investments in Estonia totalled 232 million euros.

Over half of Danish direct investments in Estonia are made in the financial and insurance sectors, in addition to the manufacturing industry, transport and network, real estate, transport and communications, and wholesale and retail trade sectors. According to the Estonian Business Register there are more than 240 enterprises with Danish participation in Estonia.

Estonian direct investments in Denmark in 2010 totalled 10.4 million euros, which is 0.2% of Estonia’s direct investments abroad. Most Estonian direct investments are made in the Danish manufacturing industry, wholesale and retail trade, maintenance, and the financial and insurance sector.

In the first half of 2011 Estonia’s direct investments in Denmark totalled 14 million euros.

Tourism

As with tourists from other nations, the number of Danish tourists has decreased during the past few years. In 2009 the number of Danish tourists in Estonia declined by 16%. During 2009 Estonian accommodation facilities were used by 12 036 Danish tourists. Over the past year Danish people have shown more interest in Estonia as a tourism destination. While in 2010 a total of 11 140 Danish tourists stayed in Estonian accommodation establishments, during the first ten months of 2011 the total was up to 12 401 Danish tourists.

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.