Friis Arne Petersen (born November 25, 1952) is a Danish diplomat who since 2015 has been Denmark's ambassador to Germany. From the Embassy in Berlin, Petersen is also accredited as Denmark's ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Friis Arne Petersen | |
|---|---|
| Danish Ambassador to Germany | |
| Assumed office August 15, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Per Poulsen-Hansen |
| Danish Ambassador to China | |
| In office 2010 – July 31, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen |
| Succeeded by | Carsten Damsgaard |
| Danish Ambassador to the United States | |
| In office 2005–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Ulrik Federspiel |
| Succeeded by | Peter Taksøe-Jensen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 25, 1952 Skagen, Denmark |
| Alma mater | University of Copenhagen |
Career
editPetersen was educated as Cand.polit. from the University of Copenhagen in 1978.[1] After completing his education, he was appointed Secretary of the National Audit Office for two years. In 1979 he was employed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in the same year was appointed as a clerk. From 1981 to Petersen was posted at the Danish embassy in Cairo, Egypt.[1]
In 1986 he became Head of the Foreign Minister's office Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, and continued in 1993 under Niels Helveg Petersen.[1] In 1994 he became Head of Office with responsibility for Russia and Eastern Europe, before being appointed Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1997.[1]
Petersen was sent to Washington, D.C. in 2005 when he was to succeed Ulrik Federspiel as Denmark's ambassador to the United States.[1] An office he held until 2010, when he was appointed as ambassador to China. Here he was also an ambassador for five years before, with effect from 15 August 2015, became Denmark's ambassador to Germany, and accredited ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.[1]
Honours
edit
Belgium: Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
Brazil: Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
Bulgaria: Grand Cross of the Stara Planina 1st class
Denmark: Commander's Cross 1st Class of the Order of the Dannebrog
Estonia: Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana 2nd Class
Egypt: Grand Commander's Cross of the Order of the Republic
Finland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion
Germany: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Greenland: Nersornaat in gold
Japan: Order of the Rising Sun 1st Class
Jordan: Grand Cross of the Order of Independence 1st Class
Lithuania: Grand Commander's Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Morocco: Knight of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite
Norway: Commander of the Order of St. Olav
Romania: Grand Cross of the National Order of Faithful Service
Thailand: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the White Elephant
United Kingdom: Honorary Knight Grand Cross of Order of St Michael and St George