The particularly good relationship between Latvia and Denmark is based on mutual interest to guarantee stability and security and welfare in the Baltic Sea Region and to build united and politically and economically stable Europe. The mutual interest in development of bilateral cooperation is furthered by the participation of both countries in the EU and NATO, which opens greater opportunities of contacts in various levels of cooperation.

The consistent and practical support that Denmark has provided for the EU enlargement has facilitated the establishment of cooperation with Latvia in several areas, including environmental protection, development of national economy, society integration, harmonisation of the national and EU legislation and others. Denmark has greatly contributed to Latvia's accession to NATO by providing support to increasing Latvia's self-defence capacity and improvement of the interoperability of the Latvian Armed Forces with NATO.

Alongside regular political dialogue between senior state officials and intensive cooperation among industries and regions, the economic cooperation is developing successfully, as well: the volume of international trade between the countries has significantly increased over the last years and as of the 3^rd quarter of 2004 Denmark is the second largest foreign investor in Latvia.

History of diplomatic relations

A protocol on cooperation between the Kingdom of Denmark and the Republic of Latvia was signed in Copenhagen in March 1991. On 24 August 1991, the Danish Foreign Minister Ufe Ellemann-Jensen sent a letter to the Latvian Foreign Minister expressing readiness to establish diplomatic relations. On 26 August, the joint Communiqué of four countries was signed on restoration of diplomatic relations between Denmark and each of the Baltic states. On 27 August 1991, the first Ambassador of Denmark to Latvia, H.E. Mr. Otto Borch, presented his credentials. The current Ambassador of Denmark in Latvia is H.E. Mr. Arnold Christian de Fine Skibsted, while Latvia is represented in Denmark by Ambassador H.E. Andris Razans. Latvia is also represented by Honorary Consuls General in Funen and Jutland and by Honorary Consul in Bornholm.

A Latvian - Danish parliamentary cooperation group has been established in the 8^th Saeima.

Danish assistance to Latvia

Between 1990 and 2000, Denmark provided Latvia with non-refundable material assistance for development of different branches in the amount of LVL 80.2 million (more than DKK 1 billion). The main areas for which Denmark has provided support are environmental protection, economic development, public and social sectors, agriculture, power industry, and welfare.

In 2004, two projects were implemented under the EU pre-accession cooperation programme (FEU) of the Danish Foreign Ministry for 2001-2003, namely, "Reform of Higher Education in Latvia" and "Eurofaculty continuation 2003-2004". Altogether, 26 cooperation projects have been implemented with main objectives of training Latvian civil officers in EU matters; development of regional cooperation and domestic market; harmonisation of legislation and introduction of standards in agriculture. In 2003, Latvia received technical assistance worth over DKK 6 million in the framework of this programme.

After Latvia's accession to the EU, the countries have become equal cooperation partners and provision of bilateral assistance is discontinued.

Defence

Denmark is one of the leading Nordic countries as regards provision of political support and practical assistance to Latvia. The main objective of the cooperation is to improve the defence capabilities of both countries and to introduce NATO standards in national structures. The main areas of bilateral cooperation are defence system management and personnel training. Joint activities also take place between respective land, air and naval forces; national Home Guards; military medical services; military construction services; and in the field of military training. Denmark takes an active part in various other projects such as BALTRON, BALTNET, BALTDEFCOL, and BALTSEA. Denmark has also committed itself to training of Latvian armed forces for search and rescue operations.

Since 1999, Latvia has an accredited military attaché in Denmark, whereas the Danish military attaché was accredited in Latvia from 2001 to 2005. As of 1 February 2005, the Baltic states have a common military attaché with residence in Vilnius.

Environmental Protection

The Danish Ministry of Environment has been providing technical assistance to environmental protection in Latvia since early 1990's. By now, some 150 projects have received support worth LVL 28.9 million. The key cooperation areas are: improvement of water management systems, consolidation of institutions and protection of wildlife. 20 projects are still being implemented and it is planned to conclude them by the end of 2005.

Home Affairs

A successful co-operation has been established between the Latvian State Police and Denmark's Police. The State Police employees participate actively in the Special Committee's working group, which deals with issues related to the fight against organised crime in the Baltic States. At Denmark's initiative, the State Police staff members have taken part in a number of seminars, for example, on drugs and illegal immigration.

Society integration

Between 1998 and 2004, the Danish social initiative programme was implemented in Latvia. In the framework of this programme, support was allocated to 52 projects, 17 of which were large-scale centralised projects, while the other 34 were smaller. Their aim was to facilitate inclusion of the less-protected social groups in the society.

Culture

The Latvian-Danish cooperation in culture is extensive and covers areas of literature, arts, music, cinema, museums and libraries.

A Centre of Nordic Studies has been opened in the Latvian Culture Academy. Its aim is to promote studies of Nordic languages and culture in Latvia, as well as to promote cooperation among the Nordic and Baltic countries. The Culture Academy also offers a study programme "International Culture Contacts Latvia - Denmark" with guest lecturers from Denmark participating.

The Danish Culture Institute is another institution that deserves credit for its contribution to facilitation of Latvian-Danish cooperation in culture.

In 2004 and 2005, special attention is paid to Hans Christian Andersen due to the 200^th anniversary of the fairy tale master on 2 April 2005. Latvian writer Nora Ikstena has been appointed as the Ambassador of the Andersen's anniversary celebrations to Latvia.

Education

Almost every state university and higher educational establishment founded by legal entities in Latvia has a cooperation partner in Denmark. Many universities have concluded mutual cooperation agreements. 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.

With the help of the Danish international mobility centre "Cirius", Latvian students and researchers receive annual scholarships for studies or research work in Danish universities and research institutes. On its turn, the Latvian Ministry of Education and Science has been awarding scholarships to Danish students for studies in the Baltic International Summer School organised by the Vidzeme University College.

Active cooperation is taking place in the framework of the EU education and science programmes "Socrates", "Comenius", "Leonardo da Vinci", the multilateral Baltic and Nordic projects financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers, as well as the programmes and projects financed by the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS). In 1993, at the initiative of Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann-Jensen and the German Foreign Minister Hans Dietrich Genscher, the Eurofaculty was established as a unit of the CBSS with an aim of assisting the Baltic universities in improving of their curricula and qualification of their faculty. The Eurofaculty will operate till 2005.

Transportation

Latvia and Denmark have regular flight connections. In 2004, the number of passengers served reached 124,237. Besides Sweden, Denmark is the leader of ferry traffic services in the Baltic Sea region and provides transport and transit services between ports in Latvia, Germany and Sweden.

Economic cooperation

Trade volume between the two countries has been growing in recent years and Denmark is Latvia's 7^th largest export partner and the 11^th largest importer. In 2004, the external trade volume with Denmark reached USD 417.2 million or 3.8% of total trade. In 2004, Latvia exported goods worth USD 213.8 million to Denmark (7.4% of total exports), and imported goods worth USD 213.5 million (3.9% of total imports) from there. Latvia's main exports to Denmark include: wood and articles of wood, textiles and textile articles, various manufactured goods, some metals and articles of metal. Latvia's main imports from Denmark include machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, textiles and textile articles, products of chemical and allied industries, metals and metal articles, motor vehicles, fruits and vegetables, as well as foodstuffs. 

Trade flows between Latvia and Denmark (1998-2004) in USD

As of the end of the first half of 2004, Danish investment in the base capital of Latvian-registered enterprises accounted for USD 215.21 million, placing Denmark second among the largest investor countries. The presence of Tilts Communications - a joint Swedish and Finnish firm registered in Denmark - in the Latvian market was a substantial boost for the Danish investment figure.

As of 2 March 2005, 459 Latvian-Danish joint ventures were listed on the Latvian Enterprise Register.

Denmark's investment dynamics (1998-2004)

A representation of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) headed by Gints Janums is operating in Denmark as of November 2004.  

Mutual Visits

Visits of Latvian delegations to Denmark:

25 October 2004	Official visit by the Latvian Foreign Minister, Artis Pabriks, to the Kingdom of Denmark
26 August 2004	Working visit by the Latvian Prime Minister, Indulis Emsis, to the Kingdom of Denmark
5 April 2004	Working visit of the Latvian Foreign Minister Rihards Piks to the Kingdom of Denmark
13 - 15 March 2003	Working visit of the Latvian Prime Minister Einars Repse to the Kingdom of Denmark
27 November 2002	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Sandra Kalniete
20 - 21 September 2001	Working visit of the State President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the Kingdom of Denmark. The President addresses the annual Dansk Industri conference
28 - 30 March 2001	Official visit of the State President Vaira Vike-Freiberga to the Kingdom of Denmark
1 - 3 October 2000	Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Indulis Berzins
27 August 1999	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Indulis Berzins
15 - 17 March 1999	Visit of the Speaker of Latvian Parliament J. Straume
7 - 8 December 1998	State visit of the President of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Guntis Ulmanis
30 April - 1 May 1998	Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Valdis Birkavs
24 - 25 September 1997	Working visit of the Latvian Prime Minister G. Krasts
18 - 20 March 1997	State visit of the State President Guntis Ulmanis
9 - 10 September 1996	Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Valdis Birkavs
12 April 1994	Visit of the State President Guntis Ulmanis
17 November 1993	Working visit of the Latvian Prime Minister G. Krasts
July 1993	Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Georgs Andrejevs
August 1991	Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Janis Jurkans
18 - 22 March 1991	Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Janis Jurkans
Visits of Danish delegations to Latvia:
3 May 2005	Working visit by the Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, to Latvia
18 December 2003	Working visit of the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller. The Minister participates in the annual meeting of Latvian Ambassadors
27 June 2002	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Per Stig Møller
27 - 28 February 2002	Working visit of the Prime Minister Mr Anders Fogh Rasmussen
5 - 8 September 2001	Visit of H. R. H. Henrik, the Prince Consort. The Prince participated in the Europa Nostra conference on issues of preservation of wooden architecture in cities
26 - 27 August 2001	Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Mogens Liketoft
10 - 12 March 2000	Working visit of the Prime Minister Mr. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
1 - 2 July 1999	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen
3 December 1997	Working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen
12 - 13 February 1996	Official visit of the Speaker of the Danish Folketing Dr. Erling Olsen
5 - 6 February 1996	Official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen
28 - 29 March 1995	Official visit of the Prime Minister Mr. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen
October 1993	Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen
30 - 31 July 1992	Visit of the Queen of Denmark Margrethe II and Prince Henrik (accompanied by Crown Prince Frederik and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Uffe Ellemann Jensen)

Most significant International Agreements

• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark concerning the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (in force as of 18 November 1994);
• Agreement between the Republic of Latvia and the Kingdom of Denmark on the Development of Economic, Industrial and Technical Co-operation (in force as of 30 July 1992);
• Air Services Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark (in force as of 29 November 1994);
• Convention between the Republic of Latvia and the Kingdom of Denmark for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital (in force as of 1 January 1994);
• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark on Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters (in force as of 18 November 1994);
• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark on the Readmission of Persons Entering a Country and Residing there without Authorisation (in force as of 1 January 1997);
• Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark concerning the Abolition of the Visa Requirement (in force as of 1 January 1997).