[2] Diplomatic relations were established in 1993 and suffered a setback after Denmark decided to suspend development cooperation with Eritrea in January 2002 and close its embassy in June 2002.

[8] Denmark opened an embassy in Asmara in July 1997,[9] but closed it in June 2002,[4] because of the lack of democracy in the country.

[12] Another reason was the new liberal government of Denmark, that decided to reduce the aid budget.

[16] The total aid to the Eritrean agricultural programme amounted 112 million DKK.

[18] In the 2000 Arab League summit in Cairo, President Afewerki met Prince Frederik and called the relationship between Denmark and Eritrea "exemplary".