Close co-operation

On Monday, 27 August Danish Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketoft together with his spouse will come to Estonia on a two-days official visit to meet the representatives of Estonia's Government and Parliament and participate at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Estonia and Denmark. In August 1991 the Kingdom of Denmark was the second country after Iceland to establish diplomatic relations with the re-independent Republic of Estonia. On the occasion of the passing of 10 years of that event on Monday a festive concert-reception with speeches by the Danish and Estonian Foreign Ministers will take place. On Tuesday Danish Foreign Minister will meet Chairman of the Riigikogu Toomas Savi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Minister of Defence Jüri Luik. The main themes of the talks will be the enlargement of the European Union and NATO, also the development of Estonian-Danish relations. The relations between Estonia and Denmark are traditionally very good, close co-operation is developed between the authorities and local self-governments. Denmark is among the first ten trade partners of Estonia. For years the defence co-operation of Estonia and Denmark has been on a remarkable level. Denmark is one of the strongest supporters of the accession of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to NATO and the European Union. Second half of the next year Denmark will be the Presidency of the European Union.