The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, is currently in Italy for a two-day visit aimed at deepening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
This official trip follows just one week after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome—a clear sign of increasingly close relations between Copenhagen and Rome.
Focus on business cooperation and trade growth
During his visit, Lars Løkke Rasmussen is scheduled to meet with the Italian Minister for Enterprises (Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy), Adolfo Urso. The main objective is to foster new business partnerships and strengthen trade relations.
According to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italy is Denmark’s 11th largest export market, making it a key partner for Danish companies seeking growth opportunities in Southern Europe. The focus on closer trade links reflects both Copenhagen’s and Rome’s interest in diversifying their economic partners and driving innovation in sectors such as green technology, manufacturing, and defense.
Danish-Italian relations: a period of intensified dialogue
The Danish Foreign Minister’s visit comes in the wake of high-level diplomatic exchanges, notably the meeting between Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome.
This sequence of visits underscores a deliberate move by both countries to reinforce their diplomatic cooperation and facilitate dialogue on European and international issues. The meetings are also interpreted as a signal of shared interest in addressing broader challenges such as energy transition, migration, and security in the Mediterranean region.
Engagement with Danish and Italian industry
Beyond official meetings, Lars Løkke Rasmussen is also expected to engage directly with Danish businesses operating in Italy. He will visit an Italian defense company, highlighting the importance of security and technology transfer in bilateral relations.
The program further includes a meeting with the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), underlining Denmark’s support for international humanitarian initiatives headquartered in Rome.
Economic ties: data and prospects
Trade between Denmark and Italy has shown steady growth in recent years, with Danish exports to Italy including machinery, pharmaceuticals, and green solutions. In 2023, the value of Danish exports to Italy exceeded DKK 25 billion (approx. EUR 3.35 billion), making Italy one of Denmark’s most significant commercial partners in the European Union.
The ongoing visits and signed partnerships are expected to further accelerate bilateral trade and open new opportunities in sectors ranging from renewable energy to advanced manufacturing.
