President Alar Karis and Sirje Karis met today in Kadriorg with King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark, who are on a state visit to Estonia. At the heart of the meeting were bilateral relations between their two countries, as well as Nordic-Baltic cooperation, support for Ukraine and bolstering European security. The meeting was also attended by the foreign and defence ministers of both Denmark and Estonia.

President Karis described Estonia and Denmark as being bound by a relationship based on long-standing trust, like-mindedness and a common understanding of European security. "Those are strong foundations on which to further deepen our cooperation in the fields of the economy, education and culture," he remarked.

The head of state noted that Denmark and Estonia are close allies, and that Danish support for Estonia has never wavered: the country refused to recognise the annexation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union, and was one of the first to restore diplomatic ties with Estonia in August 1991. Denmark's backing was also instrumental in Estonia's journey towards EU and NATO accession, and the country has been one of the biggest supporters of Baltic defence cooperation initiatives.

President Karis assured King Frederik and Queen Mary that the Danes will always be able to count on Estonia in return. "We support the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he affirmed. "The status of sovereign territories cannot be called into question by the threat or use of force."

The head of state expressed praise for Nordic-Baltic cooperation (NB8) and the activities of the international Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). "We are seeing ever greater integration and the emergence of a shared identity in the region, both of which will help us assume responsibility even more strongly for the security of the Baltic Sea region," he said. Denmark held the presidency of the NB8 in 2025 and has been succeeded in the role by Estonia. President Karis says that cooperation between the Nordic countries and Baltic States is designed to foster their relationship in such a way that it provides rapid and substantive solutions, especially to security issues, but also to broader political and economic challenges.

Discussing European security, the head of state acknowledged Denmark's role in defending NATO's eastern flank. "Your presence in our region and your actions in NATO are a clear sign of our unity and our readiness as allies to deter acts of influence and potential aggression," he noted.

President Karis also underscored the importance of Denmark's consistent and practical contributions in support of Ukraine, reiterating Estonia's staunch support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. "The security guarantees given to Ukraine must be substantive, must provide the Ukrainians with genuine reassurance and must prevent further military attacks," he said.

President Karis and Sirje Karis welcomed King Frederik and Queen Mary upon their arrival on Town Hall Square in Tallinn. Their time in the city included a visit to the Memorial to Victims of Communism in Maarjamäe and an introduction to the HK Unicorn Squad and their activities at the Rakett69 Science Studio.

The royal couple are being accompanied on their trip by Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen and Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen. King Frederik X last visited Estonia as Crown Prince in 2018. His mother, Margrethe II, visited the country in 2019 to mark the centenary of the Republic of Estonia and the 800th anniversary of the Danish flag, known as the Dannebrog.

Gallery (Arno Mikkor/Office of the President): https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCHERm