Denmark–Nicaragua relations
Encyclopedia
Denmark–Nicaragua relations refers to the bilateral relationship between Denmark
and Nicaragua
. Denmark has an embassy in Managua
. Nicaragua has an embassy in Copenhagen
. The relations are described as good. Nicaragua is a Danish programme country since 1993.
co-operation began in 1981. In 1993, Nicaragua was chosen as one of 20 programme countries for Danish development assistance
. In 1989 Denmark was part of a group of countries that combined to give $20 million to Nicaragua in response to domestic concessions which led to the 1990 general election
which ousted the Sandinista National Liberation Front
from power. In the 1990s, Denmark donated $1.8 million to support the clearance of landmines in Nicaragua. 8,700 landmines were cleared in the area where Denmark finances activities.
, environment
and education
.
In July 2007 the Danish Development Research Network secretariat compiled an overview of on-going research collaboration between Denmark and Nicaragua within the areas of agriculture, environment and governance.
In 2009 Denmark announced it would reduce its aid from about $35 million in 2009 to about $26 million in 2010, also saying it would redirect some of the aid towards civil society actors rather than direct assistance to Nicaragua's government. The announcement was made by Danish development cooperation minister Ulla Tørnæs
during a visit to the Latin American country where she met president Daniel Ortega
. Tørnæs also called on the Nicaraguan government to respect democratic norms with regards to free elections.
Denmark helps Nicaragua with building a road between the two municipalities; Nueva Guinea
and Bluefields
.
In 2010 Denmark went on to announce their intention to stop providing all development funds to Nicargaua, though they did not indicate a firm date for this to happen. This was presented as part of Denmarks overall strategy to stop giving aid to Latin American countries so it can better focus its development budget on Africa. In 2010, Lene Espersen
said that Denmark will close their embassy in Managua.
In February 2011, Denmark assisted Nicaragua with $18 million to the Nicaraguan general election, 2011
, but the government of Nicaragua refused the money.
visited Nicaragua in 2003 and Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños Geyer visited Denmark in 2004.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. Denmark has an embassy in Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
. Nicaragua has an embassy in Copenhagen
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
. The relations are described as good. Nicaragua is a Danish programme country since 1993.
History
The Danish-Nicaraguan developmentInternational development
International development or global development is a concept that lacks a universally accepted definition, but it is most used in a holistic and multi-disciplinary context of human development — the development of greater quality of life for humans...
co-operation began in 1981. In 1993, Nicaragua was chosen as one of 20 programme countries for Danish development assistance
DANIDA
Danish International Development Agency , is a Danish organisation inside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, set up to provide humanitarian aid and assistance in developing countries.-Origin of name:...
. In 1989 Denmark was part of a group of countries that combined to give $20 million to Nicaragua in response to domestic concessions which led to the 1990 general election
Nicaraguan general election, 1990
A general elections were held in Nicaragua to elect a president and parliament on 25 February 1990.William I. Robinson wrote that "massive foreign interference completely distorted an endogenous political process and undermined the ability of the elections to be a free choice regarding the destiny...
which ousted the Sandinista National Liberation Front
Sandinista National Liberation Front
The Sandinista National Liberation Front is a socialist political party in Nicaragua. Its members are called Sandinistas in both English and Spanish...
from power. In the 1990s, Denmark donated $1.8 million to support the clearance of landmines in Nicaragua. 8,700 landmines were cleared in the area where Denmark finances activities.
Danish assistance
The Danish development programme assists Nicaragua within four priority sectors: transportation, agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
, environment
Environmental policy
Environmental policy is any [course of] action deliberately taken [or not taken] to manage human activities with a view to prevent, reduce, or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources, and ensuring that man-made changes to the environment do not have harmful effects on...
and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
.
In July 2007 the Danish Development Research Network secretariat compiled an overview of on-going research collaboration between Denmark and Nicaragua within the areas of agriculture, environment and governance.
In 2009 Denmark announced it would reduce its aid from about $35 million in 2009 to about $26 million in 2010, also saying it would redirect some of the aid towards civil society actors rather than direct assistance to Nicaragua's government. The announcement was made by Danish development cooperation minister Ulla Tørnæs
Ulla Tørnæs
Ulla Pedersen Tørnæs is a Danish politician and the former Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark. She is a member of the Liberal Party and, since 1994, of the Danish parliament...
during a visit to the Latin American country where she met president Daniel Ortega
Daniel Ortega
José Daniel Ortega Saavedra is a Nicaraguan politician and revolutionary, currently serving as the 83rd President of Nicaragua, a position that he has held since 2007. He previously served as the 79th President, between 1985 and 1990, and for much of his life, has been a leader in the Sandinista...
. Tørnæs also called on the Nicaraguan government to respect democratic norms with regards to free elections.
Denmark helps Nicaragua with building a road between the two municipalities; Nueva Guinea
Nueva Guinea
Nueva Guinea is a municipality in the Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur department of Nicaragua.Nueva Guinea was founded in the 1960s and saw significant growth in the early 1970s as the US Peace Corps helped to move families from the Pacific region of Nicaragua to Nueva Guinea in exchange for free...
and Bluefields
Bluefields
Bluefields is the capital of the municipality of the same name, and of Región Autónoma del Atlántico Sur in Nicaragua. It was also capital of the former Zelaya Department, which was divided into North and South Atlantic Autonomous Regions...
.
In 2010 Denmark went on to announce their intention to stop providing all development funds to Nicargaua, though they did not indicate a firm date for this to happen. This was presented as part of Denmarks overall strategy to stop giving aid to Latin American countries so it can better focus its development budget on Africa. In 2010, Lene Espersen
Lene Espersen
Lene Espersen is a Danish politician and member of parliament who has been Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs since 23 February 2010 and was leader of the Conservative People's Party and Deputy Prime Minister from 9 September 2008 to 13 January 2011...
said that Denmark will close their embassy in Managua.
In February 2011, Denmark assisted Nicaragua with $18 million to the Nicaraguan general election, 2011
Nicaraguan general election, 2011
Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Nicaragua on 6 November 2011.-Background:The Sandinista National Liberation Front Presidential and parliamentary elections were held in Nicaragua on 6 November 2011.-Background:The Sandinista National Liberation Front Presidential and...
, but the government of Nicaragua refused the money.
State visits
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh RasmussenAnders Fogh Rasmussen
Anders Fogh Rasmussen is a Danish politician, and the 12th and current Secretary General of NATO. Rasmussen served as Prime Minister of Denmark from 27 November 2001 to 5 April 2009....
visited Nicaragua in 2003 and Nicaraguan President Enrique Bolaños Geyer visited Denmark in 2004.