Denmark to open embassies in Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malaysia

Denmark’s government will open new embassies in Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Malaysia in 2024, and has shelved a previously approved decision to close its embassy in Tanzania, according to a Foreign Ministry announcement.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen briefed the Danish Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee on the plans.

In the ministry’s statement, Rasmussen said the new embassies are intended to strengthen Denmark’s diplomatic presence in “the eastern frontline states,” the Balkans and with key global partners.

The ministry said establishing an embassy in Moldova would give Denmark a diplomatic presence in every “frontline state” to Ukraine.

It said a new embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina is intended to strengthen Denmark’s presence in the Balkans and support efforts to help stabilize the country and build resilience against external influence, while also supporting Bosnia’s steps toward EU membership.

The ministry also linked the new embassies in Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina to Denmark’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2025, when EU enlargement efforts will be among Denmark’s tasks.

On Malaysia and Tanzania, the ministry said the embassies will be important to the government’s ambition to build new partnerships with countries outside the West. It also said the Danish Embassy in Tanzania will provide access to central perspectives and contribute to realizing the government’s Africa strategy, which it said is expected to launch next year.

The ministry noted that Danish businesses have a strong presence in Malaysia, including about 100 Danish subsidiaries.

As background, the ministry said the number of Danish missions declined by 27 between 2000 and 2022, from 121 to 94. It also said the government’s 2024 finance bill proposes a 12% increase in funding for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between now and 2027, including additional budget framework allocations totaling about DKK 500 million in 2024, DKK 600 million in 2025, DKK 700 million in 2026 and DKK 800 million in 2027 beyond previously anticipated allocations for Foreign Service operations.