Document Actions
Business Breakfast
April 23, 2007
Denmark and the World Community
There are strong economic ties between Denmark and the USA, and the US is the no. 1 investor in Denmark. Danes enjoy one of the highest living standards in the world and often are ranked at the top on surveys of lifestyle, health and education. In addition, Denmark is considered a forerunner on protection of the environment.
Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen presented his credentials to President Bush on October 3, 2005 as the Danish Ambassador to the United States. Ambassador Petersen has had a distinguished and outstanding career in the Danish Foreign Service, serving on the staff of two Danish Foreign Ministers and holding various senior positions.
Ambassador Petersen earned a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of Copenhagen in 1978. From 1981-84 he was posted in Cairo as First Secretary. In 1985 he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister of Denmark, a position he held until November 1990, when he was appointed Chief of Staff for the Foreign Minister. In 1994 Friis Arne Petersen was appointed Assistant Secretary for Russia, Eastern Europe, the Balkans and OSCE. In 1995 he was promoted to Under Secretary, Ambassador, responsible for European affairs and economic assistance to Russia and Central and Eastern Europe with a special responsibility for Denmark's policies on EU and NATO enlargement processes. In July 1997 Friis Arne Petersen became Head of the Foreign Ministry, assuming the position of Permanent Secretary of State. Throughout his term (July 1997 - October 2005) he was the alternate for the Foreign Minister in the European Union Council of Foreign Ministers. A major task was heading the Foreign Ministry during the Danish Presidency of the EU (2nd half of 2002) with the successful completion of the complex negotiations leading to the enlargement of the EU with 10 new member states from Central and Eastern Europe. Other major assignments during Friis Arne Petersen's term as Head of the Foreign Ministry include the Danish chairmanship of the OSCE throughout 1997 and the Danish election as Member of the United Nations Security Council for 2005-06.
*******************************************************
Registration: Cost for this event is $12 per person for the general public and $10 to Trade Development Alliance members. No refunds can be made after Friday, April 20. Please contact Michelle Grey at 206.389.7227 or michelleg@seattlechamber.com for more details.
