Denmark–Georgia relations

Denmark–Georgia relations refers to the current and historical relations between Denmark and Georgia. Denmark is represented in Georgia, through its embassy in Tbilisi.[1] Georgia has an embassy in Copenhagen.[2] Denmark supports Georgia to become a member of the European Union and NATO.[3] Both nations are members of the Council of Europe.

Danish-Georgian relations
Map indicating locations of Denmark and Georgia

Denmark

Georgia

History

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Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Denmark were established on 1 July 1992.[4] In 2007, Denmark and Georgia signed a memorandum in the sphere of migration.[5] On 22 April 2009, a military agreement was signed between Denmark and Georgia.[6]

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen condemned Russia's attack on the Georgian province of South Ossetia. Although Anders Fogh Rasmussen says that it's hard to "put himself into the background" of the conflict in the breakaway province.[7] In February 2010, the Danish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, said that "the international community is interested Russias complying obligations in regard to Georgia, and therefore pressure on Russia must be increased."[8]

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Denmark increased its support for countries near Russia including Georgia. In 2023, Denmark and Georgia signed a new agreement to support cooperation in areas including culture, security, and the transition to green energy.[9] In 2024 Denmark gave 10.8 million (USD) to a project launched by the United Nations Development Programme aiming to support the shift towards renewable energy in Moldova and Georgia including 4.29 million specifically marked for Georgia.[10] Denmark also, however, issued a joint statement with several other European countries denouncing Georgia's proposed Transparency of Foreign Influence law.[11] The Joint statement stated that the proposed law was "incompatible with European norms and values" and denounced the "anti western rhetoric" of Georgian authorities.[12]

Economic relations

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In 2000, Georgian export to Denmark amounted 500,3 million dollars, while Danish export amounted 2,771 million dollars. In 2010, Georgian export amounted 5,140 million dollars and Danish export amounted 15,077 million dollars.[13]

Development assistance

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In the Neighbourhood Programme, Georgia has a high priority. A programme for good governance and human rights in Georgia and a programme for displaced people. $4 million was given to the programme.[14] During the war in 2008, Danish Red Cross sent 1 million DKK to the victims.[15] After the war in August 2008, Denmark increased aid to Georgia by 10 times.[16][17] Denmark assisted 71 million DKK to Georgia for the private sector and to democracy and human rights.[18]

State visits

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Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen paid a visit to Georgia on 27 November 2008, where he met Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, Prime Minister Grigol Mgaloblishvili and the Speaker of Parliament David Bakradze.[19] Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller met with Georgian opposition politicians in October 2009.[20] Per Stig Møller also visited Sukhumi, Abkhazia where he met Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergey Shamba.[21] Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili visited Denmark for the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference meeting in Copenhagen.[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Danish embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine: Info about Georgia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  2. ^ "Georgian embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  3. ^ N.Kirtzkhalia (5 October 2009). "Denmark Supports Georgia's Desire To Become Nato and Eu Member". Journal of Turkish Weekly. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Bilateral Relations between Georgia and the Kingdom of Denmark". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Georgia). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  5. ^ "Georgia, Denmark sign cooperation memorandum on migration". Geotimes. 22 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  6. ^ "22 April 2009". Georgia Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  7. ^ Staff writer (9 August 2008). "Fogh supports Georgia". DR (in Danish). Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Denmark's delegation to PACE promised Georgia to increase pressure on Russia". Georgia Times. 18 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  9. ^ "Denmark and Georgia sign new agreement on strengthening bilateral cooperation". georgien.um.dk. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Denmark supports green project with focus on Georgia and Moldova". United Nations Western Europe. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  11. ^ Hunter, Lena (10 May 2024). "Denmark condemns draconian Georgian government". The Copenhagen Post. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Nordic-Baltic statement on recent developments in Georgia". Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Bilateral relations". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  14. ^ "Georgia in the Neighbourhood Programme 2008-2012". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  15. ^ "Dansk hjælp til Georgien" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  16. ^ "Bilateral Relations between Georgia and the Kingdom of Denmark". Archived from the original on 5 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  17. ^ "Dansk bistand til Georgien tidobles". Berlingske Tidende (in Danish). 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 30 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  18. ^ "Danmark giver 71 mio. kr. i genopbygnings- og udviklingsbistand til Georgian" (in Danish). Danish embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. Retrieved 11 September 2011.[permanent dead link]
  19. ^ Staff writer. "Prime Minister Fogh Rasmussen visits Georgia". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  20. ^ Staff writer (6 October 2009). "Danish Foreign Minister held a meeting with Georgian parliamentary opposition". Georgia Times. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
  21. ^ "Foreign Minister of Denmark visited Abkhazia". GeorgiaTimes. 6 October 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  22. ^ "Saakashvili to visit Denmark". 14 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
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