Relationship dossier
Denmark
Kuwait
Relationship assessment
Diplomatic relations marked by the 2006 controversy over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad
Denmark toward Kuwait
-5During the 2006 caricature controversy, the Danish government defended freedom of expression and did not provide the apology sought by Kuwait. This became a source of bilateral friction.
Kuwait toward Denmark
-15During the 2006 caricature controversy, Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Denmark in protest. This was a concrete diplomatic response that strained bilateral ties.
Overall relationship
-5The relationship has formal diplomatic ties, but the 2006 caricature controversy produced a clear diplomatic rupture, including Kuwait's ambassadorial recall and Denmark's refusal to meet Kuwait's demand for an apology. The extent of subsequent practical cooperation is unclear, so the longer-term balance is difficult to characterize more strongly.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Denmark and Kuwait have maintained diplomatic relations, but the 2006 controversy over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad caused a notable bilateral dispute. Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Denmark, while the Danish government defended freedom of expression rather than meeting demands for an apology. The episode weighs on the relationship assessment; details of later bilateral cooperation are limited.
Areas of tension
- The 2006 controversy over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad and the Danish government's defense of freedom of expression.
Key developments
Kuwait recalled its ambassador from Denmark amid the controversy over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and continuity of practical cooperation between the two governments after the 2006 dispute are unclear.
- The duration and precise terms of Kuwait's ambassadorial recall are unclear.