According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the largest reform and modernisation of the Danish Foreign Services in recent times will be an adjustment to the network of Danish Missions abroad. The Key elements of the reform are that Denmark will open Embassies in Nigeria, the Philippines, Colombia and Myanmar/Burma.
As a consequence of this, the Government will close a number of Missions, especially in Europe.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Holger K. Nielsen says “Global power balances are changing, and economic growth takes place in other places today and tomorrow than was the case yesterday. That is why we are opening new Embassies and strengthening our presence where we will benefit most from it – politically and economically”.
He stressed further that, Denmark does not have unlimited resources at her disposal and, like all others, the Government must make tough choices. Therefore, Government will cut costs in some places to be able to afford strengthening other places.
According to Nielsen, the changes to the Embassy structure will all in all give Denmark direct access to over 300 million more people and consumers than at present – distributed throughout three continents – including important emerging markets.
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