Denmark applies to join AIIB as founding member

Denmark on Saturday confirmed its intention to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as a founding member.

In a press release offered by the Danish embassy in Beijing, Danish Minister of Trade and Development Mogens Jensen said it is a significant and exciting development in the world order that China is now establishing the AIIB.

Since many Danish trade interests as well as development cooperation interests will be at stake in AIIB, there are many reasons to engage in and influence AIIB's investment decisions from its beginning, said Jensen.

The final decision on Denmark' s membership will be concluded in a later stage along with the exact Danish financial support of the activities of the bank, he added.

"I am very happy that our government has taken this step," said Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to China, adding that by joining the AIIB Denmark can help with the poverty eradication in the region.