I'm pleased to announce our government's decision to upgrade the status of the Palestinian representation in Denmark, Rasmussen told reporters at a joint news conference with visiting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.

The Danish foreign ministry elaborated that the Palestinian delegation would be upgraded from the level of Palestinian general representation to the Palestinian mission to Denmark.

Abbas, on his first official visit to Denmark, said the move reflected the deep commitment between the two countries.

Let me also express my deepest gratitude for your government's decision to upgrade the Palestinian representation to a mission, he said.

Britain on Monday made the same move, following in the footsteps of fellow European Union members France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU, had in December also upgraded the Palestinian delegation to mission and handed its chief the title of head of mission and the rank of ambassador.