The diplomatic relations of Denmark and the Baltic States marked with high-level conference in Copenhagen on 4 June
The conference can be followed live stream, register here: https://udenrigspolitik.dk/live-stream-100-years
The formal diplomatic relations between Denmark and the Baltic States go back 100 years. Denmark established diplomatic relations with Estonia on 5 February 1921, Latvia on 7 February, and Lithuania on 28 September.
Denmark never recognised the Soviet occupation after World War II. Therefore, Denmark could restore its diplomatic relations with the three Baltic States in August 1991. Hereafter, Denmark has enjoyed very close and broad-based relations on all levels with each of the Baltic countries.
This conference celebrating the 100 years of diplomatic relations between Denmark and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is an opportunity to highlight the current relationship and to look ahead to future cooperation and opportunities. Author and journalist Martin Breum will act as moderator.
PROGRAMME, 4 June (Danish time)
10:00 His Royal Highness the Crown Prince
10:05 Chairman of the Danish Foreign Policy Society, Ulrik Federspiel
10:10 Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod
10:17 Martin Breum introduces the programme of the day
10:20 Panel 1: Future Danish-Baltic Political Cooperation. Building on our shared history, what should our future political cooperation look like?
Danish and Baltic Foreign Ministers on Danish-Baltic cooperation, Nordic-Baltic cooperation, EU, NATO, climate, rule of law, the Neighbourhood Policy, Belarus, Russia etc.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Eva-Maria Liimets
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis
11:00 Q&A
11:30 The international and domestic context of establishing diplomatic relations 100 years ago – Historian and author, Mikkel Kirkebæk
12:00 Lunch
13:00 Panel 2: Recalling the historic events 30 years ago
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Chairman of the Board of Aviator Airport Alliance, Vygaudas Ušackas
Founder of the Popular Front of Latvia and its leader, former Deputy Speaker of the Supreme Council of Latvia, Dainis Ivans
Director, Estonian Foreign Policy Institute, Kristi Raik
14:30 Panel 3: Future cooperation within key sectors
Possibilities and opportunities for Danish-Baltic cooperation within sectors of common interests and competencies such as research/innovation, energy/climate and urban development.
Head of IT Center at LTG, former Vice-Minister at the Ministry of Economy and Innovation (Digital Agenda), Elijus Civilis
European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson
Urbanist and architect, Liva Kreislere
Architect and urban design consultant, Jan Gehl
15:30 Closing remarks by Chairman of the Board of the Danish Cultural Institute, Carsten Haurum
16:00 Danish – Baltic String Quartet
Find the programme in PDF here.
The conference is organised by Det Udenrigspolitiske Selskab with Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Denmark in Estonia, Embassy of Denmark in Latvia, Embassy of Denmark in Lithuania, Danish Cultural Institute and Danish Cultural Institute in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.