Relations between Denmark and Germany are characterised by good neighbourliness and close cooperation in all areas. Dialogue is intensive, with frequent meetings taking place at all political levels. There are also many visits at parliament and federal-state level, and it is only natural that Denmark maintains particularly close ties with Land Schleswig-Holstein. Cross-border cooperation with Denmark has also been stepped up in recent years.

The positive and lively interaction between the German minority in North Schleswig and the neighbouring Danish minority in South Schleswig also shapes bilateral relations. The successful minority policies on both sides are founded on the Bonn-Copenhagen Declarations of 1955. On 26 August 2022, Foreign Minister Baerbock and Jeppe Kofod, who was then Danish Foreign Minister, adopted a Joint Action Plan for future cooperation. The Joint Action Plan builds on the existing close neighbourly ties and, in view of the two countries’ highly ambitious climate policy, is focused on promoting a sustainable green transition.

Bilateral economic relations are close and intensive. Germany is one of Denmark’s most important trading partners. German imports from Denmark include industrial products, machinery, food, agricultural products and medical and pharmaceutical products. Its main exports to Denmark include machinery and motor vehicles, chemicals, consumer goods and food.

Close cultural ties between Denmark and Germany have existed for centuries. Cultural exchange is particularly multifaceted, due in large part to the Danes’ German language skills, which are better than those found in many other European countries. The Goethe-Institut in Denmark supports cultural exchange and offers language courses as part of its wide-ranging programme. Academic and student exchanges also take place on a large scale at university level.

Germany and Denmark also pursue various defence policy cooperation projects. Denmark conducts numerous joint maritime training activities and, together with Germany and Poland, is a lead nation at Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin.