Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod, and Minister of Defence Trine Bramsen are presenting the Government’s new foreign and security policy strategy on 31 January. The strategy is a compass for the foreign and security policy work to the benefit of Denmark’s interests and to safeguard our shared values.
“Fighting for peace has a price. But it is nothing compared to the coast of not fighting. Denmark must join in around the world together with our allies and partners. Because it is there, where it is hardest, that our efforts mean the most. This applies to our security and to our democratic values,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod and expanded by saying:
“It means that Denmark must engage in the world and lead the way in the fight for precisely these values. The threat assessment is changing all the time. The complexity increases. But the solution to this must never be that Denmark becomes incapable of taking action. With the new strategy, we are making it completely clear that we can be counted on – also when it difficult,” said Jeppe Kofod.
In the foreign and security policy strategy, the Government has chosen five core areas that will be the driving force behind the work:
Values diplomacy, safety diplomacy, climate diplomacy, migration diplomacy, and economic diplomacy.
“The priorities of the strategy reflect the fact that foreign policy and domestic policy are inextricably intertwined. The changes that we are fighting for in Denmark also demand that we fight for Danish interests and values around the world. The defence of the Dane’s safety, prosperity, and especially the climate fight do not stop at Denmark’s borders. It requires a global engagement, strong transatlantic and European cooperation,” said Jeppe Kofod.
In the work with the strategy, the Government has, therefore, also wished to provide the Foreign Service with increased clout within the areas that have been prioritised. This has been done in connection with the adoption of the Budget for 2022.
This means a concrete strengthening of Denmark’s work in the EU, NATO, the UN, the Arctic, Africa as well as with regard to our export initiatives. In all, 21 embassies and consulates will be strengthened, and the reorganisation will affect, in total, 28 missions around the world and 11 departments in the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Copenhagen. At the same time, a break is underway with the massive cutbacks in the Foreign Ministry’s budget.
“We must use our strength correctly – we must use it with a purpose. We are putting an end to the massive cutbacks and are fulfilling the promises that the Social Democrats made in our 2025 plan leading up to the election. Among other things, this means that the planed cutbacks in the Foreign Ministry will also be cancelled in 2022 and 2023,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Jeppe Kofod.
Read the entire foreign and political policy here
Read a summary of the restructuring of the foreign service here
For further press contact: Press Advisor Sissel Christine Søe: +45 51 83 74 14
