By HENRY EMPEÑO | April 7, 2026

NAVAL OPERATING BASE, Subic, Zambales — The Philippines and Denmark renewed bilateral ties here on Tuesday, April 7, unfurling a commemorative logo marking 80 years of Philippines-Denmark diplomatic relations in a symbolic ceremony that reaffirmed growing economic, maritime and people-to-people exchange between the two nations.

Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Mellbin, Director Ferdinand Flores of the Philippines’ Office of European Affairs, and Read Admiral Juario Marayag of the Philippine Navy led the launch of the commemorative logo aboard BRP Miguel Malvar, further signaling the shared identity between the two maritime states.

Denmark, which opened diplomatic relations with the Philippines in September 1946, is currently the Philippines’ 37^th largest trading partner.

Flores, who represented Philippine Ambassador to Denmark Pablito A. Mendoz, said formal diplomatic engagement between the two countries “has grown into a multifaceted relationship spanning maritime cooperation, trade and investment, renewable energy, and people-to-people exchange.”

“As maritime nations, our countries share a deep connection to the seas which serve as vital arteries of trade, livelihood, and cooperation,” Flores added.

Ambassador Mellbin, meanwhile, also asserted that bilateral relations between Denmark and the Philippines “are moving forward” with remarkable progress in investments, people-to-people exchanges, and cooperation in renewable energy and maritime security.

“We had a stable relationship for many years based on the maritime sector, and close cooperation when it came to seafaring. Thousands, even ten thousands of Filipinos work on Danish ships, even to this day,” the Danish official said.

Mellbin also recalled that Denmark and the Philippines were among the founding members of the United Nations, which aspired for a rules-based world order after the chaos of the Second World War.

“We may say that those original reasons for coming together, for working together as partners, are as relevant today as they have ever been,” he said.

“As the shared interests we have as nations come together to bring more welfare, better economy, and more jobs to our people, we (should) meanwhile work together to maintain a rules-based world order, and make sure that we stand in defense—as you (do) every day through these ships for what is your right, just as we stand strongly in Europe on what is our rights in a difficult situation with Ukraine,” Mellbin said.

For his part, Admiral Marayag said the ceremonial launch of the commemorative logo reaffirmed the close ties between two nations “whose histories, economies, and futures are closely linked to the sea.”

“The maritime domain is more than a physical expanse. It is a space where peace, stability, and freedom of navigation must be sustained, and where our marine resources must be conserved and responsibly utilized,” Marayag said.

“For the Philippine Navy, this commemoration is also significant because it reminds us that maritime security is never the responsibility of one nation alone,” he added.

“With this shared maritime character, the Philippine Navy finds in Denmark a natural and enduring partner,” Marayag also said. ▲