Denmark–Syria relations
Denmark |
Syria |
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Denmark–Syria relations refers to the
History of relations
Reaction to Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons and violence against Danish Embassy
Following the publication of the
Danish Government response
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the governments of Iran and Syria had intentionally inflamed Muslim protests against a Danish newspaper's publication of cartoons depicting Muhammad to distract attention from their own diplomatic crises. He said "Syria and Iran have taken advantage of the situation because both countries are under international pressure," Rasmussen also said he would "not exclude the possibility" that Syria had also been involved in violent protests in Beirut, Lebanon[8] referring to the fact that similar violence against the Danish Embassy in Beirut occurred the following day after the attacks in Damascus.[5]
Foreign Minister
Syrian response
A day after the attacks, Syria's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing "its regret over the acts of violence which accompanied the protests." [6] The Syrian Government denied any role in the attacks [5] and blamed Denmark for the violence and an editorial in Syria's state-run daily newspaper said that "Denmark's government could have avoided reaching this point simply by issuing a sincere apology".[2][5] Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the cartoons as an offence to Muslims and Arabs and demanded the Danish government punish the offending paper.[7]
Syria recalled its ambassador from Denmark.[7][9] Danish goods including Lego and Bang & Olufsen were boycotted in Syria.[3] Syria then suspended ties.
Response from others
The governments of the
Ensuing relations
On the 27 February, Denmark's ambassador to Syria, Ole Egberg Mikkelsen, returned to Damascus, where he had a meeting with the Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ahmad Arnous[11] They discussed how to enhance bilateral relations through dialogue and mutual understanding and Minister Arnous stressed Syria's keenness to continue relations with Denmark. The Syrian Government said it would compensate for the damages made in these incidents to embassies.[12] However, by February 2007, it was reported Denmark had received no compensation from the Syrian Government for the damage.[13]
In January 2007, Danish embassy staff including the ambassador evacuated the country following security concerns.[14]
Cultural relations
The Danish government has also a Danish Institute based in Bayt al-Aqqad in Damascus which opened in 2000.[15]
See also
- Foreign relations of Denmark
- Foreign relations of Syria
- International reactions to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
References
- ^ a b c [1][dead link]
- ^ a b c [2] Archived February 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b Rosalind Ryan (12 February 2008). "How the Muhammad cartoons row escalated". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ a b Two embassies in Syria torched over cartoons[dead link] CTV 4 February 2006
- ^ a b c d "Topic Galleries". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 20 August 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d KBC[dead link]
- ^ a b c Syria recalls ambassador from Denmark over cartoons Reuters via Star Online 1 February 2006
- ^ a b "Danish Premier Faults Iran, Syria". The Washington Post. 10 February 2006. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ "Syria recalls ambassador to Denmark over disputed cartoons". Xinhuanet. 1 February 2006. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Runningen, Roger (8 February 2006). "Bush Calls for Halt to Violent Protests over Cartoon". Bloomberg. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Syria "wants a good relationship with Denmark" Danmarks Radio, Copenhagen - 27 February 2006
- ^ "Syria, Denmark discuss means to enhance ties". Xinhuanet. 28 February 2006. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ "Syria Pays Norway for Embassy Damage". Aina. 27 February 2007. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ The Embassy Staff Leaves Syria Temporarily Archived 2007-10-08 at the Wayback Machine Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 8 January 2007
- ^ Danish Institute Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine