The close and traditionally good relationship between Latvia and Denmark is based on a mutual desire to guarantee stability, security and prosperity in the Baltic Sea Region, in Europe and in the world as a whole. Both countries maintain an active bilateral political dialogue at the regional level and also within the framework of the EU, NATO and other international organizations.

History of diplomatic relations

Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Denmark were established on 7 February 1921. On 24 August 1991, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, the Danish Foreign Minister, sent a letter to the then Latvian Foreign Minister expressing readiness to establish diplomatic relations. On 26 August, a joint four state communiqué was signed on the restoration of diplomatic relations between Denmark and each of the three Baltic states. On 27 August 1991, the first foreign ambassador to Latvia, Ambassador Otto Borch of Denmark, presented his credentials.

As of 9 February 2005, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Latvia to Denmark is Andris Razans.

Since 9 September 2008, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Denmark to Latvia is Uffe Otto Wolffhechel.

The Latvian Honorary Consul in Bornholm as of 26 August 1993 has been Bent Bornoe Kofoed and the Honorary Consul-General of Latvia in Funen and Jutland since 6 December 1996 is Frank Uhrenholt.

Important areas of bilateral co-operation   

Economic co-operation

Denmark is an important partner to Latvia in economic co-operation. Each year, trade turnover is increasing between the two countries and business co-operation is being further enhanced. Denmark is one of the most significant investors in Latvia, taking third place among the largest investor states.  Latvia's principal export commodities to Denmark are timber and timber products, manufactured goods (furniture) and textile articles. The principal Danish imports to Latvia include electrical appliances, motor vehicles and textile articles. 

Main exports to Denmark by type of goods, 2007, million EUR

Main imports from Denmark by type of commodity, 2007, million EUR

Trade dynamics between Latvia and Denmark from 2001 to 2007, EUR

As of 26 June 2008, there were 624 Danish-Latvian joint companies listed with the Register of Enterprises of the Republic of Latvia. 

As of the first quarter of 2008, Latvia had a positive trade balance with Denmark to the amount of +732,930 EUR.

Investment

Danish investment in Latvia

Direct Danish investment in the equity of Latvian companies at 26 June 2008 totalled LVL 189.8 million, ranking Denmark 3^rd in terms of investment amount.

Largest Danish investors in Latvia, in million LVL:

Tilts Communications A/S (telecommunications) - 71.58

Bank DnB NORD A/S (financial intermediation) - 56.84

CODAN A/S (insurance) - 4.65

Inter Energia Holding ApS (extraction of petroleum and natural gas, pipeline transportation) - 3.89

Pindstrup Mosebrug A/S (peat extraction; wholesale of fuels; freight transportation) - 3.73

KURLAND ApS (agricultural services; cultivation of cereals, vegetables, decorative plants and seedlings) - 3.1

Titan Invest A/S (other land transportation services, rental and leasing of real estate) - 2.95

Baltic Center PL ApS (real estate development, hotels, accommodation) - 2.16 

Latvian investment in Denmark

At the end of 2007, direct accrued Latvian investment in Denmark amounted to LVL 5 million. It was invested in such fields as real estate, commercial services, motor vehicle and equipment hire, etc.    

Defence

The foundation for Latvia-Denmark bilateral co-operation is determined by the agreement of 3 January 1994 on the enhancement of military co-operation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Latvia and the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Denmark.

Defence attachés are accredited in both countries. Since April 2007, the position of the Danish Defence Attaché in Latvia is held by navy Captain Ulf M. Berthelsen.  In turn, since 2007, the position of the Latvian Defence Attaché in Denmark is held by Major Gunars Ozolins. 

Principal areas of bilateral co-operation are defence system management, personnel training, co-operation between land, air and naval forces, as well as collaboration with the Home Guard, co-operation between medical and building services, military training. Denmark takes an active part in various multilateral projects such as BALTRON (Baltic Naval Squadron) and BALTDEFCOL (Baltic Defence College).

Education

The majority of state universities and several higher educational establishments founded by legal entities in Latvia have co-operation partners in Denmark. With the help of the Danish national agency for international co-operation and mobility in education and training "Cirius", Latvian students and researchers are eligible to receive annual scholarships for studies or research work in Danish universities and research institutes.

The Latvian Ministry of Education and Science, in its turn, provides scholarships to Danish students for studies at the Baltic International Summer School organised by Vidzeme University College.

The Culture Academy of Latvia offers a study programme "International Culture Contacts Latvia - Denmark" with guest lecturers from Denmark participating. The academy intends to initiate co-operation with the Aarhus University during the 2008/2009 academic year.

Denmark has greatly contributed to improvement of teaching aids and supplies in the Department of Nordic Languages of the University of Latvia and the Nordic Gymnasium. Denmark has also sent lecturers to work in the University of Latvia.

Culture

Latvia and Denmark have developed a wide and varied co-operation in culture and education. Exchanges take place between schools, libraries and museums; representatives from both states take part in film, theatre and music festivals. The Danish Cultural Institute has a significant role in promoting cultural co-operation between the two states. A Centre of Nordic Studies has been established at the Latvian Academy of Culture. It is aimed at promoting the study of Nordic languages and culture in Latvia and at encouraging co-operation between the Nordic states and the Baltic states. 

On 26 October 2007, a photographic exhibition entitled The Arctic - Our Crystal World was opened in Copenhagen, featuring works by three Latvian-born photographers Fred Bruemmer, Ivars Silis and Andris Slapins. On 29 February 2008 the display was opened in Riga.

On 27 February 2007 in Riga a photo exhibition entitled RIX-CPH-RIX, Flight in Time and Space by Mara Brasmane (Riga) and Miklos Szabos (Copenhagen) was unveiled. The event was organised by the Danish Cultural Institute, as a part of the festival Nordic Spring.

Between 28 August to 19 September 2007 the exhibition Jura - dzive mana (Sea - the Life of Mine) (Copenhagen) was on view at the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation.

In 2007 the Danish National Archives held the closing conference of the project Baltic Connections, where a guidebook to reference sources in the archives of the Baltic Sea states and the Netherlands on trade and shipping contacts between these states was presented.

Between 13-15 March 2008, the Days of Danish Film were held at Cinema Riga.

Regional development

During the new programming period of the EU Structural Funds for 2007-2013, co-operation with Denmark takes place within the following programmes under Objective 3, "European Territorial Cooperation":

• Baltic Sea Region Transnational Co-operation Programme for 2007-2013;
• Interregional Co-operation Programme for 2007-2013, INTERREG IVC;
• Urban Development Network Programme URBACT II.

Traffic

The state Joint Stock Company Latvijas Valsts Celi has established close co-operation with the Road Directorate of Denmark. Agreements regarding the upgrade and calibration of elements of the road surface management system (software, equipment) are updated on a regular basis.

The AirBaltic company provides daily flights on the route Riga-Copenhagen-Riga. Commencing 1 May 2008, airBaltic launched regular direct flights from Riga to Billund.

Key visits

Legal framework

Data base of bilateral agreements: Denmark

Links of the Kingdom of Denmark

Danish Royal family: http://www.kongehuset.dk/

Folketing: http://www.folketinget.dk/

Government: http://www.stm.dk

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.um.dk/da