Afghanistan–Denmark relations refer to diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and Denmark. Afghanistan is represented in Denmark through its embassy in Oslo, Norway.[1] Denmark used to have an embassy in Kabul until it was closed in 2021 due to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, that has not been recognized by any state in the world.[2] Denmark has 760 soldiers in Afghanistan,[3] operating without caveat and concentrated in Helmand Province.[4] Relations between the two countries are friendly.[5] About 9,578 Afghans live in Denmark.[6]
Diplomatic relations were established in 1947.[7] On 24 May 1967, an air service agreement was signed in Kabul.[8] On 2 March 1979, an agreement on a Danish loan to Afghanistan was signed.[9]
Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees is an organization, working in Afghanistan. The organization was created to support the Afghans, who had fled to Pakistan and Iran.[12] Danish assistance to Afghanistan amounts $80 million each year.[13] Since the fall of the Taleban in 2001, Denmark has supported Afghanistan with education and democratisation.[14] In 2005, the Folketing approved 670 million DKK, to the rebuilding of Afghanistan.[15]
During a visit to Afghanistan in November 2012, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation Christian Friis Bach declared that his government pledged US$100m in aid over the next 5 years.[16]
High level visits
On 28 January 2006, the Afghan president Hamid Karzai visited Anders Fogh Rasmussen in Marienborg, the summer residence of the Danish Prime Minister.[17] In September 2009, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Camp Bastion.[18]
On 23 June 2010, Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen visited Afghanistan, where he met Hamid Karzai.[19] On 10 January 2011, Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul visited Denmark, to discuss bilateral relations.[20]
^"Afghan embassy in Oslo, Norway". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan. Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Oslo. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
^"Denmark strengthens long-term commitment to Afghanistan". The Free Library. Retrieved 28 June 2011. I am very proud to be part of such an important decision of the Danish people to support Afghanistan. Given the long-lasting and friendly relations between Afghanistan and Denmark, Denmark's broad public and political support to assist Afghanistan means that we now have a new strategy for our engagement in Afghanistan for 2008-2012