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Denmark and Estonia marked 100 years of diplomatic relations with a long day of festive events

The 5th of February 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Denmark, which happened on 5 February 1921. Denmark’s decision to recognize Estonia de jure had been made jointly with Sweden and Norway.
When 09.02.2021

To mark this special occasion, the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Estonia issued a joint video statement. The Prime Ministers Kaja Kallas (Estonia), Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), Erna Solberg (Norway) and Stefan Löfven (Sweden) highlighted the excellent cooperation between our countries.

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recalled that 30 years ago, Denmark was also among the first to support Estonia’s independence. "Today, Estonia is a strong and modern society based on a solid democratic foundation," Mette Frederiksen said, adding a perspective also towards the future: "We will need to build back our economies, make them greener, more digital. Denmark and Estonia are already strong in these areas, but we can do more."

"During these 100 years of friendship, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have helped Estonia to gain its place in the international community. Your help has been remarkable. Thank you!" Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said.

Watch the greeting here. 

In the morning Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets received the Ambassadors Kristina Miskowiak Beckvard (Denmark), Else Berit Eikeland (Norway) and Mikael Eriksson (Sweden).
The Ambassadors arrived in style in a 100-year-old vintage car, Ford T Touring (1921), and handed over congratulatory letters from their Foreign Ministers. As a gift they also gave framed copies of the letters of recognition that the Danish Consul General Jens Christian Johansen, Royal Norwegian Consul Eduard Forsman and Swedish Consul Olof Andreas Hedman had delivered to the then Estonian Foreign Minister Ants Piip on 5 February 1921. 

In her welcome speech, Eva-Maria Liimets confirmed that Estonia considers Denmark, Norway and Sweden strategic, like-minded partners at the bilateral and regional level as well as in many international organisations.

Ambassador Kristina Miskowiak Beckvard and Embassy staff then had the honour to be welcomed by the Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid at the Presidential Palace for tea to mark the centennial with a flag-hoisting and the playing of the Danish and Estonian national anthems. This event, held outside in the beautiful winter weather, was a special moment to all. 

In the afternoon on 5 February the tight relations of Estonia and Denmark was marked with high-level virtual event, "Estonia and Denmark Going Green Together". In addition to looking back at the past 100 years, the large part of event was dedicated to exploring changes and cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, in order to together move towards more sustainable energy and the green transition. 

"The European Union has resolved that our future must be green and sustainable. It is a great privilege and honour for me to highlight the cooperation that Estonia is engaging in with Denmark, which possesses both know-how and experience in renewable energy," Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets said.
The Foreign Minister of Denmark, Jeppe Kofod, described creating a bright, new, green and sustainable future as one of many fields where the countries should work closer together. He said that now and in the future, Denmark will stand by Estonia as an ally, a partner and a friend. 

Further speakers of the event included Estonia's Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Taavi Aas and Denmark's Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Dan Jørgensen. The discussion panel included CEO of the Estonian Wind Energy Association Aavo Kärmas, the CEO of Wind Denmark, Jan Serup Hylleberg, Deputy Secretary General for Energy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, Timo Tatar, and Vice President, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Ørsted, Ulrik Stridbæk. The event was moderated by Finn Mortensen, Executive Director at State of Green, and Kalev Stoicescu, Research fellow at International Centre for Defence and Security. As co-organiser of the event, the Executive Director of State of Green Finn Mortensen set the frame for the discussion on how Denmark and Estonia can go green together. The opening remarks and summary of the event were given by Ambassador Kristina Miskowiak Beckvard.

Watch the virtual event here.
(See more photos here.)

More photos from the day, see here.

Later in the year, more events to mark the centennial will take place in Denmark and Estonia. Follow the information here: https://estland.um.dk/en/denmark-and-estonia/diplomatic-relations/