Danish envoy reaffirms strong bilateral ties, commits to supporting Ethiopia’s green and inclusive dev’t

Addis Ababa, May 6, 2025 (FMC) – Denmark is committed to strengthening its longstanding partnership with Ethiopia through inclusive development, green transition initiatives, and deeper political, cultural, and people-to-people cooperation, Danish Ambassador to Ethiopia Sune Krogstrup said in an exclusive interview with Fana Media Corporation.

Reflecting on his second posting to Ethiopia, Ambassador Krogstrup described the country as “a second home” for his family, expressing admiration for the Ethiopian people’s professionalism, honesty, and respectfulness.

He also praised Unity Park, built as part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ‘Dine for Sheger’ scheme, as a place where Ethiopia’s rich history and culture are brought together in a way that resonates with both citizens and foreigners.

Recalling the origins of Ethiopia–Denmark relations, Krogstrup cited Emperor Haile Selassie’s 1954 state visit to Denmark as a historic milestone that laid the foundation for today’s broad and deep bilateral cooperation. “We have a good dialogue on many important issues,” he said, describing the relationship as “very good and growing.”

Denmark’s development cooperation with Ethiopia has seen significant progress, particularly since the launch of its first country program in 2018.

According to the ambassador, a second five-year country program is now being finalized, with a strong focus on resilience, green growth, water access, sustainable energy, and climate-smart agriculture. Social cohesion and support for the most vulnerable communities also feature prominently.

He described Ethiopia as a key regional actor, stating, “Ethiopia is the biggest country, the biggest economy in the Horn of Africa… it plays an important role as a stabilising force on the continent.”

The Ambassador affirmed that both Denmark and the European Union view Ethiopia’s stability and prosperity as essential.

On climate cooperation, Ambassador Sune Krogstrup said Denmark views Ethiopia as a global role model, praising its ambitious environmental agenda, including the Green Legacy Initiative. “Ethiopia has huge ambitions when it comes to addressing climate change,” he stated. “We’d like to partner with Ethiopia to continue on that green path and to make sure the jobs created here are green jobs.”

He added that Denmark itself has launched a national tree-planting initiative, reflecting shared environmental goals between the two countries.

The ambassador also stressed the importance of stronger climate cooperation between Europe and Africa, noting that climate change is a key driver of instability, migration, and conflict.

Looking ahead, Denmark seeks to expand academic and people-to-people exchanges with Ethiopia. Krogstrup said a strategy launched by the Danish government in August 2024 outlines plans to develop such programs across Africa, with Ethiopia seen as a priority partner.

On cultural diplomacy, the ambassador said the Danish Embassy regularly organizes events to showcase Danish culture, noting strong local interest. “This is something that we will continue to do,” he said.

Many of Denmark’s current cultural engagements in Ethiopia are tied to its recent assumption of a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Ambassador Krogstrup stressed that Denmark takes this role seriously and is committed to amplifying African voices within the UN system.

He also lauded recent developments in Addis Ababa, citing rapid infrastructure and urban planning changes since his return to the country in August 2024. “You can really tell that it’s a city that is growing fast,” he observed, adding that managing this growth sustainably is a shared challenge among rapidly urbanizing cities in Africa.

Concluding his remarks, the ambassador assured Ethiopians that Denmark remains a loyal and engaged partner. “You can count on Denmark as a close partner to Ethiopia,” he said. “We stand by your side in your pursuit of sustainable development.”