Today is the first day for four new Danish ambassadors as Denmark's new embassies open in Nigeria, the Philippines, Colombia and Myanmar, the foreign ministry announced today.

Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard explained that the new embassies were the results of the biggest modernisation of the ministry for years.

"The world is changing rapidly, globalisation creates new power centres and new growing economies and we have to be present where Denmark gets the most out of it, politically and economically," he said.

Some open, some close
"The new embassies will both have to help Danish companies and citizens and co-operate with the countries to deal with the development they are experiencing and the choices they have to make," he continued.

While Denmark is strengthening its presence in these promising regions, other representations will have to close in Cyprus, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Milan and in Libya.

Denmark's office in Niger and in Aghanistan will also be gradually reduced over the coming years.