16.03.2004
State visit began at Copenhagen Airport

The sun was shining when Romanian President Ion Iliescu and his entourage landed at Copenhagen Airport at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday. 

On their arrival at the Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal, the delegation of 70 government officials, press officers and business representatives headed by President Ion Iliescu were greeted by music played by the Danish Royal Guards.

Hanging over the entry to the terminal were the Romanian and Danish flags, side by side in the brisk wind. Inside, the beautiful terminal from 1939 featured flower decorations in the colours of the two flags.

The President was met by Queen Margrethe, Prince Henrik, Crown Prince Frederik, Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra; Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Per Stig Møller and Commissioner of the Copenhagen Police Hanne Bech Hansen attended the welcoming ceremony as well. Copenhagen Airports CEO Niels Boserup welcomed the guests to Copenhagen Airport.

After the warm welcome, limousines were ready to take the President and the other guests to Christiansborg Palace, where a horse-drawn carriage was waiting to take them to the photo session and an exchange of presents at Amalienborg Palace.

The President’s schedule for the next two days includes a visit to the Confederation of Danish Industries, a gala dinner at Amalienborg and a visit to the Cathedral of Roskilde before his aircraft, a Boeing 707, takes off for Romania on Thursday, 18 March at 2.30 p.m.