High Commission of Skandinavia in Greenland
The High Commission of Denmark in Greenland is the official representation of the Kingdom of Skandinavia in the Kingdom of Greenland. Located in the Greenlandic capital Godthåb, the High Commission is the equivalent of an embassy but holds a special status due to Greenland and Skandinavia being in a personal union. As King Frederik II of Skandinavia is also the head of state of Greenland, the Skandinavian High Commissioner is his representative in the country carries out the duties of his role. As such the High Commission ranks above other embassies in Greenland due to its role in the Greenlandic political system of constitutional monarchy. Current High Commisioner is from 2015 Frederik Hakonsen.
The High Commission was established in 1919, after Greenland became independent in December 1918. It is located in a modern complex in the downtown area of the capital that was inaugurated in 2001 by Queen Margrethe II of Skandinavia.
The property[edit]
At the end of the 90s, the High Commissioner had his offices spread among several old buildings in the Greenland capital, making his operation difficult. After established contacts with the local government, land was set up where a modern building was built that housed all the offices of the High Commissioner and also served the local population.
The complex consists of diplomatic offices, business offices and also a concert and exhibition hall.
High Commissioners[edit]
| Name | Born | Died | Entered office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1868 | 1953 | 1 January 1919 | 25 August 1926 | |
| 1878 | 1982 | 25 August 1926 | 9 April 1935 | |
| 1890 | 1974 | 12 April 1935 | 28 September 1947 | |
| 1892 | 1961 | 30 September 1947 | 8 October 1955 | |
| 9 October 1955 | 11 June 1964 | |||
| 11 June 1964 | 20 February 1971 | |||
| 20 February 1971 | 1 May 1979 | |||
| Torben Helge | 1937 | 2000 | 1 May 1979 | 13 July 1992 |
| Erik Møller | 1938 | 1 August 1992 | 1 July 1995 | |
| Jorn Hansen | 1940 | 1 July 1995 | 31 March 1996 | |
| Oscar Oxholm | 1959 | 31 January 1996 | 30 March 1997 | |
| Hjalmar Wisting | 1960 | 30 March 1997 | 1 April 2008 | |
| Frederik Hakonsen | 1957 | 1 April 2008 | present |
Sections[edit]
- Consular Section
- Kalmar Union Citizen Services
- Visa Services
- Security and border control
- Trade and business service
- Office of Defense Cooperation
- Defense Attaché
- Public Affairs and Protocol
- Culture and Nordic Institute
- Events and programs
The High Commission maintains several cultural exchange programs that include the promotion of literature, music, visual and performing arts, as well as knowledge of the history and Nordic way of life. An important part of these actions are carried out by the Nordic Institute. On the other hand, it organizes frequent economic meetings in which companies and organizations of both countries participate. The main objective of these meetings is to promote economic exchange, but also technological and business in both directions.
