Denmark–Eritrea relations explained
Denmark–Eritrea relations refers to the current and historical relations between Denmark and Eritrea. Denmark is represented in Eritrea through its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya,[1] and Eritrea is represented in Denmark through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.[2]
Diplomatic relations were established in 1993 and suffered a setback after Denmark decided to suspend development cooperation with Eritrea in January 2002 and close its embassy in June 2002.[3] [4] After the Eritrean–Ethiopian War from 1998 to 2000, Denmark sent 320 soldiers to the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea to monitor a ceasefire in the border war.[5]
History
In 1950, Denmark and 15 other countries voted for a united Eritrea and Ethiopia under Haile Selassie in the United Nations.[6] During the Eritrean War of Independence, Denmark sent humanitarian assistance to the Eritrean People's Liberation Front.[7] In the 1980s, the parliament of Denmark passed a resolution supporting the independence in Eritrea.[8] Denmark opened an embassy in Asmara in July 1997,[9] but closed it in June 2002,[4] because of the lack of democracy in the country.[10] In October 2001, Eritrea expelled the Italian ambassador, and later Denmark recalled its ambassador to Eritrea for consultations.[11] In 2001, Denmark ended aid to Eritrea because of the arrest of Eritrean students and opposition politicians by President Isaias Afewerki, and the lack of freedom of the press in Eritrea.[12] Another reason was the new liberal government of Denmark, that decided to reduce the aid budget.
Development assistance
Eritrea was chosen as a Danish programme country from 1993 to 1996, and again from 1999 to 2001. Denmark has been supporting Eritrea with counteracting land degradation. In 1996, Denmark contributed $35,000 through United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and in 1997, $111,000 through United Nations Truce Supervision Organization to Eritrea.[13] In 1996, Denmark assisted 112 million DKK to the agriculture sector,[14] and 80 million DKK to the education sector.[15] The total aid to the Eritrean agricultural programme amounted 112 million DKK. (US$15 million)[13] From 2001 to 2004, Denmark assisted Eritrea 36.60 million DKK for the justice sector.[16] In 2001, both countries agreed to develop the legal sector.[17] In 2001, Denmark donated $2.199 million to support the clearance of landmines in Eritrea.[18]
High level visits
In the 2000 Arab League summit in Cairo, President Afewerki met Prince Frederik and called the relationship between Denmark and Eritrea "exemplary".[19] [20] In February 2001, Danish Foreign Minister Mogens Lykketoft visited Eritrea, to discuss development programmes between Denmark and Eritrea.[21]
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: H.E. Geert Aagaard Andersen, New Danish Ambassador to Kenya. Government of Denmark, Danish embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). 28 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110502061015/http://www.ambnairobi.um.dk/en/menu/TheEmbassy/HEGeertAagaardAndersenDanishAmbassadorToKenya/. 2 May 2011. dead.
- Web site: Embassy of Eritrea in Stockholm. Government of Eritrea. 24 June 2011. 6 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120306103213/http://www.eritrean-embassy.se/Visa.htm. dead.
- Book: Africa analysis: the fortnightly bulletin on financial and political trends, 163–187. Africa Analysis Ltd. 1993. Eritrea and Denmark established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. 24 June 2011.
- News: Danske mineryddere på vej hjem fra Eritrea. Politiken. 2 September 2002. 3 February 2011. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121006113453/http://politiken.dk/udland/ECE40296/danske-mineryddere-paa-vej-hjem-fra-eritrea/. 6 October 2012.
- News: Moralens vogtere. 28 June 2011. Jyllandsposten. 4 April 2001. da. 5 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605133104/https://jyllands-posten.dk/premium/indblik/ECE4085529/Moralens-vogtere/. dead.
- News: Ethiopia, Eritrea to merge. 3 December 1950. 14. 25 June 2011. 4. Iowa. Telegraph Herald. Besides the United States, the sponsoring powers were Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, Greece, Liberia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru.
- News: Eritrean Rebels Have Non-Communist Support. 24 June 2011. The New York Times. 21 December 1987.
- News: Eritrean Rebels to Form Own Rule, Separate From Ethiopian Government. 24 June 2011. The Washington Post. 30 May 1999.
- Web site: Danmark åbner ambassade i Eritrea. NPINVESTOR. 24 June 2011. da. 1 July 1997.
- News: 'Front Load' Africa's Development, Say UN Humanitarian Aid Coordinators. 25 June 2011. allAfrica.com.
- Book: Africa South of the Sahara 2004. 2004. Europe Publications. 1-85743-183-9. 24 June 2011. 391.
- News: Eritrea vil selv bestemme. 24 June 2011. Jyllandsposten. da. 2 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111002153725/http://viden.jp.dk/videnbank/landeportraetter/default.asp?cid=7592. dead.
- Book: April 2000. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification: Report from Denmark. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20030826195920/http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/developed/2000/denmark-eng.pdf. 26 August 2003. 24 June 2011.
- Web site: Bekendtgørelse om overenskomst af 17. november 1995 med Eritrea om dansk støtte til etablering af et nationalt skovfrøcenter i Eritrea under Landbrugsministeriet. Retsinformation. 28 June 2011. da.
- Web site: Bekendtgørelse om overenskomst af 26. april 1996 med Eritrea om dansk støtte til primær uddannelse i Eritrea. Retsinformation. 28 June 2011. da.
- Danidas Årsberetning 04. DANIDA. 24 June 2011. da. 1 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111001123526/http://www.netpublikationer.dk/um/5479/kap37.htm. dead.
- Book: Managing Aid Exit and Transformation: Eritrea Country Case Study. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 24 June 2011. 18. 978-91-586-4064-1.
- Book: Landmines, International Campaign to Ban. Landmine Monitor report, 2002 : toward a mine-free world. 2002. Human Rights Watch. New York. 1-56432-277-7. 24 June 2011. 251.
- Web site: Nyrups 65 års fødselsdag. Socialdemokraterne. 6 July 2011. 21 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120321161852/http://s-dialog.dk/A-Jan%20Tr%C3%B8jborg-Nyrups-65-%C3%A5rs-f%C3%B8dselsdag-default.aspx?site=jantroejborg&func=article.view&id=234196. dead.
- News: Eritrean president in talks with Danish prince, parliamentary defence committee. 6 July 2011. BBC Monitoring. 7 May 2001.
- News: Eritrea: Danish foreign minister arrives in Asmara. 25 June 2011. BBC Monitoring. 22 April 2001.