Denmark takes the lead on Afghanistan coalition

Prospective donor countries are likely to be hesitant to divert more funds into Afghanistan, expert warns

December 31, 2014 is the date that all foreign military personnel will have left Afghanistan. From then on the Afghani security forces, ANSF, will be on their own in defending their embattled country from the Taleban.

Denmark’s foreign minister, Villy Søvndal, is heading a new initiative, dubbed the 3-C (Coalition of Committed Contributors), that will help stabilise Afghanistan after the withdrawal of coalition troops.

Søvndal has sent a proposal to 87 countries appealing for financial contributions to help the Afghans foot the bill for a national security force that is expected to exceed 355,000 men by 2015. Søvndal previously announced in December that Denmark would continue to provide Afghanistan with financial support following the 2014 withdrawal of NATO forces.

“We owe the Afghans as good a transition as possible and that is why I have proposed this 3-C initiative,” Søvndal told Politiken newspaper. “I believe that the best thing the international community can give the Afghan people is to provide a specific and firm promise that we will be there for them after 2014.”

As of today 23 countries, including Denmark, have signed the initiative, which is expected to raise 23 billion kroner a year to help support the massive resource allotment needed to address Afghan security concerns.

Despite the good intentions, however, there are a few parameters of the deal that have yet to be negotiated. The amounts to be donated by each country have not been determined. It is expected that the terms will be negotiated during the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago in May and a donor conference in Tokyo in July.

Tomas Valasek, the director of foreign policy and defence at the Centre for European Reform, said that countries that have already signed the initiative may be a little less forthcoming during these negotiations as many governments are struggling with a financial recession and the general feeling that they have given enough to the struggle in Afghanistan.

“Many will probably give political promises, but actually getting money on the table will be like trying to squeeze blood from a stone,” Valasek told Politiken. ”That’s because there are many governments that are looking forward to not spending money in Afghanistan anymore. And the security forces are only one component; what we really need is a stable government. We don’t have that now, and we won’t have that in 2014 either.”

Yet the fact that so many countries have agreed to the initiative is a good sign, according to Søvndal.

“Now the countries have said that they want to be a part of this. We haven’t agreed on an amount but that will come in round two,” Søvndal told Politiken. “I hope that many nations will join the initiative and I am pleased that so many have already pledged their support.”

The initiative also states that Afghanistan will donate three of the 23 billion kroner to the project.

The countries that have signed the initiative are: Denmark, USA, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Croatia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Australia, South Korea and Albania.




  • Nørrebro: A battle between identities

    Nørrebro: A battle between identities

    Nørrebro is a cornerstone of the city of Copenhagen. However, while it continues to be a popular hang out spot for young and old alike, the neighborhood is in the middle of a transformation from the old working class population, to a younger and more economically stable clientele. This fact raises concern among native Nørrebro-citizens.

  • Copenhagen celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a grand 20th anniversary parade

    Copenhagen celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a grand 20th anniversary parade

    The Irish Culture Association Denmark (ICAD) is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Copenhagen on March 16, 2025, with a parade marking its 20th anniversary. Supported by the Irish Embassy, the event will feature Irish music, dance, sports, and cultural displays, bringing the spirit of Ireland to Denmark.

  • Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Yesterday, the President of the United States made some of the strongest statements about Greenland he has ever made during the press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

  • Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Not all students feel like reading Danish poetry after a meeting at a language school with writer and poet Henrik Palle. Yet, a portrayal of Copenhagen as the city once was and the impressions of what the city is today give a deeper impression of the Danes

  • A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    It’s difficult to learn Danish, especially with idioms that have figurative meanings. It highlights Christiane Bjørg Nielsen’s book, See What You Say, which serves as a visual guide to understanding these idiomatic expressions in Danish.

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.