Denmark–Italy relations are the
current and historical relations between
Denmark and
Italy. Both countries have embassies in their respective capitals and both countries are members of the
European Union and
NATO.
Diplomatic relations were established on 2 September 1861 and relations are described as a "solid bond of friendship and cooperation".
Ties between the two countries are based on the common European vocation.
The two countries have moreover developed close cultural exchanges since the 1960s.
History
After the
Unification of Italy in 17 March 1861, Italy was represented in Denmark through its diplomatic office in
Stockholm
Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
,
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
. Italian Prime Minister
Cavour ordered the Italian diplomat in Sweden Marquis Migliorati to communicate to Danish king
Frederick VII the assumption of
Victor Emmanuel II
Victor Emmanuel II ( it, Vittorio Emanuele II; full name: ''Vittorio Emanuele Maria Alberto Eugenio Ferdinando Tommaso di Savoia''; 14 March 1820 – 9 January 1878) was King of Sardinia from 1849 until 17 March 1861, when he assumed the title o ...
as King of Italy. The Italian side expressed doubt on a Danish recognition of the newly established Italian state as Denmark was engaged in a dispute with
Prussia pertaining to the rights over
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
–speaking
Schleswig-Holstein. The Italian belief was therefore that Denmark could not endorse the new Italian state as it was inspired by
Italian nationalism which would corroborate German claims over Schleswig-Holstein. Nonetheless, the Danish people had strong sympathy for Italy inducing the king to grant recognition.
King Frederick VII wrote a letter to king Victor Emmanuel II on 2 September 1861 in which it was stated that Denmark recognized the Kingdom of Italy and an Italian
legation
A legation was a diplomatic representative office of lower rank than an embassy. Where an embassy was headed by an ambassador, a legation was headed by a Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, minister. Ambassadors diplomatic rank, out ...
was established in Copenhagen.
In May 1864, the two countries signed a commercial treaty to strengthen trade. The relations between the two countries was described as "good" in the treaty. An
extradition agreement was signed in July 1873, while an agreement on "''reciprocal relief to distrissed seamen''" was signed in May 1885.
See also
*
Foreign relations of Denmark
*
Foreign relations of Italy
References
Further reading
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Denmark - Italy Relations
Italy
Bilateral relations of Italy