King Frederik official business promotion in Poland. January 31-February 2, 2024

[polyesco]

HM The King on official business promotion in Poland

Energy efficiency, climate-friendly agriculture and biogas are in focus when HM the King heads a Danish business delegation in Poland from 31 January to 2 February 2024.

On 31 January, HM the King will start an official business promotion in Poland. His Majesty will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Climate Energy and Supply Minister Lars Aagaard and Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen.

The visit, which has been prepared for a long time, will take place partly in Poland's capital Warsaw, where 38 Danish companies are participating in a business promotion, and in the port city of Szczecin, where the King will, among other things, visit NATO's regional headquarters and representatives from the Danish and Polish business community in the city.

During the visit, the King will meet with the President of Poland HE Andrzej Duda in the Presidential Palace, as well as the presidents of the Senate and the Polish lower house Sejm. In addition, His Majesty will participate in the laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In Denmark, there is a tradition that a new regent together with his spouse is the first to start travel activities with visits to neighboring countries. Thus, the plan is for the King and HM the Queen to visit Sweden and Norway first.

https://www.kongehuset.dk/nyheder/h-m-kongen-paa-officielt-erhvervsfremstoed-i-polen
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2aP6LA...d&ig_rid=8c4937a8-bca3-4d52-890d-21929811d09a

From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
"It has been decided that the King will carry out the official business promotion to Poland, which has been prepared for a long time before the change of throne became known. Following this, the King and Queen will follow tradition together and carry out their first joint official journeys, which include will go to Nordic countries. More about the royal couple's first joint official trips will follow soon.
...
Poland and Denmark's bilateral relations are close. This is due to at least two factors: A joint active stance on the war in Ukraine and the cooperation on the establishment and operation of the Baltic Pipe pipeline, which contributes significantly to Poland's independence from Russian gas.

In addition, Poland is Denmark's 9th largest export market, approx. 700 Danish companies have already established business in the country, and Danish companies contribute approx. 100,000 jobs. In 2024, GDP growth in Poland is expected to be 2.1 per cent. Several Danish companies also see Poland as the "gateway to Ukraine", as Poland is a country with easy geographical access to Ukraine.

Denmark already has a unique position in Poland, and Danish companies and authorities are considered close and obvious business partners who, among other things, makes a significant contribution to Poland's ambition to secure a stable energy supply. Therefore, there is a particularly favorable climate for further bilateral and commercial cooperation with Poland at present. This is especially true in the fields of energy and agriculture (climate-friendly agricultural transition/biogas), where Danish companies are leaders worldwide and where there is considerable untapped market potential for Danish companies. "

https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddele...en-311-til-den-22?publisherId=2012662&lang=da

 

[tommy100]

"official business promotion" - that's a new one on me

Good to see he is out and about so quickly after his accession. Surprised his first visit isn't to a Nordic country.

 

[polyesco]

"official business promotion" - that's a new one on me

Good to see he is out and about so quickly after his accession. Surprised his first visit isn't to a Nordic country.

erhvervsfremstød is the Danish word.
Official Business promotion has been a highlight for Frederik and Mary for many years now.

a few previous examples
https://www.kongehuset.dk/nyheder/program-for-erhvervsfremstoed-i-sydafrika
https://www.kongehuset.dk/nyheder/erhvervsfremstoed-i-usa
https://www.kongehuset.dk/search?searchTerm=erhvervsfremstød &currentPage=2

 

[Muhler]

"official business promotion" - that's a new one on me

Good to see he is out and about so quickly after his accession. Surprised his first visit isn't to a Nordic country.

As Polyesco explained that's a common thing for the DRF members to do. I guess this was already planned and he would have gone as well if he had still beenn crown prince.

 

[Sister Morphine]

As Polyesco explained that's a common thing for the DRF members to do. I guess this was already planned and he would have gone as well if he had still beenn crown prince.

If I understood the official explanation, this trip to Poland had been planned for the then-Crown Prince Couple for a while, well before the abdication. Since it's tradition for the King and Queen to go to the Nordic countries together after accession, Frederik is going to Poland alone and then later, he and Mary will visit Sweden and Norway. Which makes sense, honestly. Why cancel the trip when Frederik is perfectly capable of going by himself? Mary can be rigforstander while he's gone.

 

[iceflower]

"official business promotion" - that's a new one on me

Good to see he is out and about so quickly after his accession. Surprised his first visit isn't to a Nordic country.

The visits were often called "economic missions" or "working visits" or "official visits" in the past and are called so in other royal houses as well.

 

[Izzie]

The DRF website has posted the official program for the visit to Poland. Looks like a pretty packed schedule over 3 days.

https://www.kongehuset.dk/nyheder/program-for-h-m-kongens-besoeg-i-polen

 

[polyesco]

Thank you Izzie!
Here is the program

Wednesday 31 January

Official opening of the business conference at 10.45
At the newly built historical museum in Warsaw, the King participates in the official opening of the Danish business promotion in Poland. During the official opening, Her Majesty will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Climate Energy and Supply Minister Lars Aagaard and Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen.

Welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace at 11.30
The President of Poland HE Andrzej Duda welcomes the King to Poland at the Presidential Palace, where there will be a guard of honor and the playing of national anthems.
Subsequently, the King participates in a conversation with the President, where Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen will also be present.

Official lunch at the Presidential Palace at 12.25
The President hosts an official lunch for the King.

Wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 13.50
The King participates in laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is a memorial to soldiers who lost their lives for Poland.

Courtesy visit to the Sejm and the Senate at 14.25
The Marshal of the Polish lower house of the Sejm, Szymon Hołownia, receives the King for a courtesy meeting. Afterwards, the Marshal of the Senate, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, will receive His Majesty in a courtesy meeting.

Round table discussion on energy efficiency and biogas At 15.15
The king attends round table discussions and MoU signing on first energy efficiency and later biogas.

HM The King participates in the Grand Dinner at 19.00
The diplomatic relations between Denmark and Poland are marked at a Grand Dinner in the Kubicki arcade at the Royal Palace in Warsaw, where the King and HE the President of Poland are the evening's guests of honour. At the dinner, representatives from the participating Danish companies will participate, as will Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, Climate Energy and Supply Minister Lars Aagaard and Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen. For the Grand Dinner, the participating Danish companies have the opportunity to invite selected business contacts to the dinner.


Thursday 1 February

Visit to the metro station and signing of the letter of intent. 9.00
The first visit of the day focuses on energy optimization, when the King, together with Minister for Climate, Energy and Supply Lars Aagaard, leads the way past the metro station Stadion Narodowy. Here, the technology and idea behind a project that can potentially collect and reuse the metro's excess heat by sending it into the city's district heating system is presented.

uring the visit, a letter of intent will also be signed between Warsaw's Metro, a number of Danish companies and Denmark's Export and Investment Fund.

Courtesy visit to Warsaw's deputy mayor at 9.45
The King, together with Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Minister for Climate, Energy and Supply Lars Aagaard, pays a courtesy visit to Deputy Mayor of Warsaw Michal Olszewski.

Round table discussion at City Debate at 9.55
The King attends a round table discussion in the company of Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Climate, Energy and Supply Minister Lars Aagaard and Deputy Mayor of Warsaw Michal Olszewski.
During the debate, Danish and Polish experts discuss, among other things, how cooperation between public and private actors can contribute to solving challenges in reducing CO2 in the world's big cities. During the visit, the King witnesses the signing of a letter of intent on CO2-neutral urban development with the region of Lower Silesia.

Panel debate: Climate-friendly agriculture and biogas At 11.00
The King visits the Warsaw Agricultural University together with Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen. The university is hosting a conference that, among other things, focuses on opportunities for a more efficient and climate-friendly approach to agriculture, livestock productivity and biogas production. During the visit, a letter of intent will be signed between the Warsaw University of Life Sciences and the Danish company GreenFarm.

Market Space: Climate-friendly agriculture and biogas 11.45
The visit to the Warsaw Agricultural University continues with a tour of the university. Here, the King, together with Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen, among other things, will be introduced to Danish companies within biogas and agriculture that are participating in the conference.

Market Space: Energy efficiency At 13.15
Today's last visit to Warsaw focuses on energy efficiency. Together with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Climate, Energy and Supply Minister Lars Aagaard and Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen, the King will be introduced to the Danish companies that specialize in energy optimization. The visit ends with a joint Decarbonisation Declaration Ceremony.

Arrival at Szczecin-Goleniów Airport at 16.30
The King arrives at Szczecin-Goleniów Airport and is received by the representative of the government (Wojewoda) in Western Pomerania, the military protocol of the Szczecin Corps and the Danish Consul General in Szczecin.

Grand Business Reception at 20.00
The visit to the port city of Szczecin begins with an official reception in the Szczecin Philharmonic Hall, where the King gives a welcome speech. His Majesty will participate, among others, together with the Minister for Climate, Energy and Supply, Lars Aagaard.


Friday, February 2

Opening of Vestas' production facility at 9.30
The foundation stone for a new Vestas offshore factory will be laid with the participation of the King and, among others, Climate Energy and Supply Minister Lars Aagaard. The new factory, which will produce blades for offshore wind turbines, is expected to be ready in 2026 and in the long run will create more than 1,000 jobs in the area.

Conference on wind energy 11.00
The King participates in the opening of the conference "Wind, Waves and Wires". The purpose of the conference is to create opportunities for Danish companies to submit their technological solutions for wind energy. In the presence of the King, an MoU will be signed between the ports of Szczecin and Esbjerg.

Courtesy visit at 11.45
The King participates in a courtesy visit with the Mayor of Szczecin, Piotr Tomasz Krzystek, as well as the Marshal of West Pomerania, Olgierd Geblewicz, and the Governor of West Pomerania, Adam Stanisław Rudawski.

Visit to NATO's corps headquarters at 12.30
The King visits NATO's regional corps headquarters in Szczecin. During the visit, the King will receive a briefing on the headquarters' current tasks, and His Majesty will also meet a number of the headquarters' Danish employees and their families.
The headquarters is part of NATO's force structure and plays a decisive role for defense in the region.

Seeing that this visit included Mary, before the change of throne, I can easily imagine more events. They usually do solo events and events together during these Business Official trips

 

[Frelinghighness]

Now Mary is not going?

 

[Somebody]

No, she isnt. This visit was already planned for Frederik as crown prince. Their first visit abroad together will be to their Scandinavian neighbours.

 

[polyesco]

Now Mary is not going?

No. This visit was planned for both the Crown Prince Couple together but now with thr change of throne, the King and Queen will follow tradition of their first visits together abroad being to Sweden and Norway.
https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddele...en-311-til-den-22?publisherId=2012662&lang=da

 

[Izzie]

No. This visit was planned for both the Crown Prince Couple together but now with thr change of throne, the King and Queen will follow tradition of their first visits together abroad being to Sweden and Norway.
https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddele...en-311-til-den-22?publisherId=2012662&lang=da

Thanks for reposting this. It was made very clear why this visit was going forward and in the manner it was happening. I like the press release was specific and left no room to speculate. Looking forward to his first trip abroad as King.

Edited to add....Crown Prince Christian will assume the role of regent for the first time while his father is abroad in Poland

https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...ristian-faar-vigtig-funktion-i-kong-frederiks

Another Edit: BB is in Poland and will be going live throughout Wednesday as King Frederik begins his first trip abroad

https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...naar-kong-frederik-begynder-historisk-rejse-i

 

[polyesco]

...
Edited to add....Crown Prince Christian will assume the role of regent for the first time while his father is abroad in Poland

https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...ristian-faar-vigtig-funktion-i-kong-frederiks

Another Edit: BB is in Poland and will be going live throughout Wednesday as King Frederik begins his first trip abroad

https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...naar-kong-frederik-begynder-historisk-rejse-i

Nice the new Crown Prince will be regent.
I hope we get some good coverage of the business visit by the King

 

[Izzie]

BB article in anticipation of the start of the King's visit to Poland. About 17 different media from the two DK channels and media from Denmark, France and Germany also travel to cover the trip. The article also contains some very nice words from one of the Danish companies CEO about Frederik's knowledge and commitment to the subject matter of the visit.
https://www.billedbladet.dk/kongeli...ommer-kong-frederik-til-goere-det-fremragende

 

[iceflower]

The visit has started today, January 31.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda has hosted an official welcoming ceremony for King Frederik at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw.

Here are some first photos of day 1 today:


** gettyimages gallery ** rex gallery **


** BB live report: Vi sender live fra Polen: Se kong Frederik deltage i bevægende stund **

 

[An Ard Ri]

Here are a few more photos of the king in Warsaw

https://www.ppe-agency.com/show.php?zoektype=2&search=31-01-2024 Denmark

 

[Izzie]

The DRF Instagram has posted a reel of Day 1 of the visit so far.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1752648760415453455

King Frederik with the parliament speaker

https://twitter.com/x/status/1752721177003368903

 

[polyesco]

"- It is a historic event. That the king's first visit will be a business promotion for Poland makes both Danish business and Poland proud. And that underlines the king's veneration, knowledge and interest in Danish business, says Lars Sandahl Sørensen.

And it is far from the first time that King Frederik has shown his interest in Danish business life. He has already participated in over 70 business promotions as crown prince.

- The king is committed, knowledgeable and at eye level with companies, politicians and other participants. For many years, he has been a very good representative abroad for Denmark. But it is clear that with its new king status, it makes the Polish hosts raise all events during the business promotion to a higher level and the promotion generally gets more attention, says Lars Sandahl Sørensen."
https://via.ritzau.dk/pressemeddele...-polen-har-stor-betydning?publisherId=5524343

The king looks fantastic
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-6712a223-137a-4ca4-8732-e25ae4d6e1df.jpeg
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-4b463134-344d-4404-ac24-d5619c35b214.jpeg
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-7b2326d7-9180-4b72-8be7-8be1db276af7.jpeg
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-28ffff10-fbf4-45c4-a72c-d863f7fe0d86.jpeg

gallery from the DRF on Day 1
https://www.kongehuset.dk/foto-video/h-m-kongens-besoeg-i-polen---dag-1-3

https://twitter.com/x/status/1752698994550325725

https://twitter.com/x/status/1752648760415453455

https://twitter.com/x/status/1752693973179641928

President of Poland gallery
https://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/wydarzenia/wizyta-krola-danii-fryderyka-x,80526

 

[Sister Morphine]

It must be incredibly cold because he's wearing two coats. Underneath his overcoat (Hey! He actually owns one! LOL) he's wearing a black puffer jacket or puffer vest of some kind.

[Not to mention, Frederik always looks fantastic. It's his default state.]

 

[victor1319]

gallery from the DRF on Day 1
https://www.kongehuset.dk/foto-video/h-m-kongens-besoeg-i-polen---dag-1-3

I like the black framed glasses in one of the pics here, which the King is wearing better, than his white one, he often wears - the white is more fit for a grandma...

 

[Saragli]

On a pure vanity note, Felipe VI of Spain and Jigme Khesar of Bhutan now have some stiff competition in "the most handsome King" category.

 

[wartenberg7]

On a pure vanity note, Felipe VI of Spain and Jigme Khesar of Bhutan now have some stiff competition in "the most handsome King" category.

The King of Bhutan is a fine looking man. But, among the "most handsome"....?!

 

[Sister Morphine]

On a pure vanity note, Felipe VI of Spain and Jigme Khesar of Bhutan now have some stiff competition in "the most handsome King" category.

Frederik is to die for. Always has been. Man's been a stone-cold fox since he was a teenager. The salt-and-pepper hair/beard with glasses?

*fans self*

 

[polyesco]

I have to say I agree with the above posts

The Dinner has taken place where Frederik toasted in Polish.
"King Frederik will also say a few words.
He starts by thanking for the reception, and says that he will keep it very short.
He thanks the president and thanks for the good conversations the King has had during his visit.
After this, he surprises by saying 'cheers' and 'na zdrowie', which is toast in Polish."
https://imgix.billedbladet.dk/2024-01-31/_han4663_preview.jpg
https://imgix.billedbladet.dk/2024-01-31/_han1176.jpg

some great coverage. Articles on his visit
https://abcnews.go.com/Internationa...k-visits-poland-trip-abroad-monarch-106822381
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/k...e-udtalelse-vil-bekaempe-klimaforandringer#!/

 

[Izzie]

I have to say I agree with the above posts

The Dinner has taken place where Frederik toasted in Polish.
"King Frederik will also say a few words.
He starts by thanking for the reception, and says that he will keep it very short.
He thanks the president and thanks for the good conversations the King has had during his visit.
After this, he surprises by saying 'cheers' and 'na zdrowie', which is toast in Polish."
https://imgix.billedbladet.dk/2024-01-31/_han4663_preview.jpg
https://imgix.billedbladet.dk/2024-01-31/_han1176.jpg

some great coverage. Articles on his visit
https://abcnews.go.com/Internationa...k-visits-poland-trip-abroad-monarch-106822381
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/k...e-udtalelse-vil-bekaempe-klimaforandringer#!/

Thanks! Great coverage so far! Nice touch with the few words in Polish as well. From the videos and photos he looks relaxed and in great form. And it looks like a jampacked Day 1 of the visit.

 

[iceflower]

Day 2 in Poland today, February 1:


** rex gallery ** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Muhler]

This visit is being covered very closely here in DK.

Mainly because it's King Frederik's first official visit abroad and there is a lot of interest in seeing what if anything he might do differently - and of course how he is doing this first solo trip on the top-job.

I think it's way too premature to even expect FX to do things differently. After all this visit was planned long ago and I see very little reason to deviate from what is already planned.

There has been some commenting on FX speech, regarding climate policy and attitude towards the climate change. But ding-a-ling that official Danish policy, supported by practically every single member of the Parliament.
FX did not say anything that went the least bit against Danish policy and I doubt very much his speech would no have been read and approved by the government.
Apart from that, the climate policy is the whole reason for him being in Poland in the first place!
One of the major exports of DK (and we are talking real money and jobs here) is green technology, know how and solutions and that's exactly what the Polish government want. Because Poland wish to eventually move away from fossil fuel and close down their considerable coal-mining industry. The Polish aren't stupid, they know where the future is. They wanna be on that train, and preferably sitting up front in the train.

So FX is doing fine, and he is actually continuing along the lines he has laid out for years. It's just that Danish media sucked at reporting what he has actually said in his speeches these last years. It's actually only the business papers who bothered writing about that.
Because King Frederik in a suit and wearing glasses while giving a speech is not nearly as "sexy" and sellable as King Frederik running or cheering at a sports event.

 

[victor1319]

The Polish aren't stupid, they know where the future is.

Going full nuclear? There are frightning news out of Poland...

To the actions of the King: I assume, he is in a leading role for a whole lot of business stuff, not only windmills.

So, the King makes a bella figura talking about the climate change, but I am sure behind the doors is a lot going on.

 

[Muhler]

Going nuclear is one of the "green" options that a lot of EU countries are facing after the invasion of Ukraine.
Poland really isn't that well suited for a massive investments in windmills and solar-farms, well.... Thermo-energy from deep drills might be a possibility but that technology is only being developed right now.

Going nuclear or not is of course an open discussion and in any case that's not a Danish export.

ADDED: A pic of FX:
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-2098eb61-fbd7-4409-b88e-3b927cb58d4c.jpeg

In his high-school teacher look.
It's all in the eyes of the beholder, I suppose.
Perhaps he could borrow a few of Daniel's glasses? And look a bit more sharp and angular.

 

[polyesco]

...

So FX is doing fine, and he is actually continuing along the lines he has laid out for years. It's just that Danish media sucked at reporting what he has actually said in his speeches these last years. It's actually only the business papers who bothered writing about that.
Because King Frederik in a suit and wearing glasses while giving a speech is not nearly as "sexy" and sellable as King Frederik running or cheering at a sports event.

Thank you Muhler!!
Those who follow Frederik have know this for years. This visit for being the first one as King is getting lots of coverage. Before his business trips, us news diggers had to go beyond tabloids and into Danish serious press.

I do have to say, Frederik in a suit and glasses "sells" for me
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-2098eb61-fbd7-4409-b88e-3b927cb58d4c.jpeg
https://livecenterimagesnorth.azure...img-b54cc825-b8fa-4148-b3da-ac8ac9d9dc65.jpeg

BT has a running blog on Day 2, with videos and more information
https://www.bt.dk/royale/live-kong-frederik-er-rejst-til-polen-foelg-hans-tur-her

Day 2 from the DRF
https://www.kongehuset.dk/foto-video/h-m-kongens-besoeg-i-polen---dag-2

From one of the Businesses
"It means a lot, partly because it is his first trip abroad, and as crown prince he has participated in these business promotions for the entire Danish industry many times," says the Danfoss owner.
"I myself have been with him several times, including in Melbourne, Australia, when he was newly engaged to Mary - and it was absolutely fantastic. So it's really something that attracts business people - it's not something you just say no to,' he says.
https://www.bt.dk/royale/milliardaer-og-ven-af-kongehuset-roser-kong-frederik-det-var-enestaaende

from Danish Industry

https://twitter.com/x/status/1753013955193139674

"Kristian Jensen is part of the Danish delegation in Poland as director of Green Power Denmark, which represents the green energy industry in Denmark.

- Poland is a huge market for green energy, says the former Liberal politician.

He is delighted that the new king has chosen to take green energy with him on a trip abroad.

- King Frederik has every opportunity to become a strong and very popular regent, Kristian Jensen says, among other things, about the new king.

Kristian Jensen calls King Frederik 'engaged, alive and committed to the people he meets'."
https://www.bt.dk/royale/live-kong-frederik-er-rejst-til-polen-foelg-hans-tur-her

Day 2 reception
King Frederik X of Denmark attends the Grand Business Reception at Szczecin Philharmonic Hall, Szczecin. The Danish King is leading a Danish business delegation including 38 participating companies in Poland from 31 January until 2 February 2024.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1753163629589913699