The Agreement between Great Britain and Denmark relating to the suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt was signed in Copenhagen on 14 July 1921, in duplicate, the official text being French. Signatories: Charles M. Marling, British Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, and Harald Scavenius, Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, with seals. It did not provide for ratification. Registered with the League of Nations on 20 August 1921, LNTS No. 151, volume 6. UKTS 1921 No. 15, Cmd. 1498. It is not the Anglo-Swedish agreement of 8 July, nor the 1937 Montreux Convention.

The preamble considers the moment opportune to give full effect to the special situation of Great Britain in Egypt. Article 1: so long as Great Britain exercises in Egypt the control necessary to protect foreign interests, the Danish Government renounces in her favour all the rights and privileges which Denmark holds in Egypt under the Capitulations. As regards representation in the reconstituted mixed Tribunals, similar rights shall be assured to Denmark as to the other Powers concerned.

Article 2: from the coming into force of the new judicial system, the Danish Consular Courts will cease to sit, except to dispose of current proceedings. Article 3: Danish nationals shall enjoy in Egypt, as to public liberties, the administration of justice, private rights (including landed property and mining rights), the professions, and taxes and duties, the same treatment as British nationals. Children born in Egypt of a Danish father enjoying there the privileges accorded to foreigners shall be entitled to Danish nationality; they shall not become Egyptian subjects.

Article 4: Danish consular officers shall enjoy, from the closing of the Consular Courts, the same immunities as in Great Britain, and shall continue their non-judicial functions so far as consistent with the laws of Egypt. Article 5: the treaties in force between Great Britain and Denmark will apply in Egypt; in executing the extradition agreement of 31 March 1873, the prohibition on extraditing nationals shall apply, for refugees in Egypt, to the subjects of His Highness the Sultan as well as to all British nationals — at framework level, without an extradition handbook. Import regulations, on condition of reciprocity, shall not be altered unless twelve months’ notice has been given.

Article 6: Denmark agrees that, subject only to the unanimous consent of the Powers concerned, all the rights and duties of the International Quarantine Commission in Egypt are transferred to the Anglo-Egyptian authorities.

Cover: Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, the seat of the Danish government; we do not claim the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Agreement Between Great Britain and Denmark Relating to the Suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt; Agreement relating to the Suppression of the Capitulations in Egypt (UKTS 1921 No. 15).