Denmark is expanding its diplomatic footprint on the world stage. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen announced plans to open new embassies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, and Malaysia in 2024. This move comes alongside the reversal of a previous decision to close the embassy in Tanzania.
The expansion aligns with Denmark’s new foreign and security policy strategy, which prioritizes a stronger global presence. “As the world becomes more insecure,” Rasmussen stated, “we must build new alliances. And to do that, we must have Danish diplomats on the ground, around the world.”
The new embassies will serve strategic purposes. The one in Moldova fills a gap, providing Denmark with a diplomatic presence in every country bordering Ukraine. The Bosnian embassy aims to bolster regional stability and support the country’s path toward EU membership.
Looking ahead to Denmark’s presidency of the European Council in 2025, these Balkan embassies will also play a role in fostering EU expansion efforts.
The embassies in Malaysia and Tanzania reflect Denmark’s ambition to build partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. The Malaysian embassy caters to the Danish business community, with roughly 100 Danish subsidiaries operating in the country. The Tanzanian embassy, meanwhile, offers access to central African perspectives and supports the government’s upcoming Africa strategy.
This expansion reverses a long-standing trend of embassy closures. Since 2000, the number of Danish missions has shrunk by 27%, driven primarily by closures in Europe and Asia.