The Permanent Representative of Denmark

Curriculum Vitae

MICHAEL AASTRUP JENSEN
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the Council of Europe

Professional Profile

Michael Aastrup Jensen has served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Denmark to the Council of Europe since August 2025.

Before taking up his current position, he served for more than 20 years as a Member of the Danish Parliament, with a particular focus on foreign policy, European affairs, international security and development cooperation. From 2022 to 2025, he chaired the Foreign Policy Committee of the Danish Parliament.

He has extensive experience within the Council of Europe, having represented Denmark in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) throughout most of his parliamentary career. His positions included Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly, Chair of the Monitoring Committee, Chair of the Danish Delegation to PACE, Vice-Chairperson of the ALDE Group and Co-Rapporteur on Georgia.

Earlier in his career, he served as Mayor of Randers. 

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Middlesex University.

Current Positions

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the Council of Europe
Strasbourg, France | From August 2025

Parliamentary Career

Member of Parliament (Folketinget), The Liberal Party (Venstre)
Denmark | 2005–2025

Selected parliamentary responsibilities:

• Chairman, Foreign Policy Committee | 2022–2025
• Vice Chairman, Foreign Policy Committee | 2020–2022
• Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs | 2010–2011, 2015–2025
• Spokesperson for Development Cooperation | 2015–2019, 2022–2025
• Spokesperson for Culture, EU, IT, and Housing | 2005–2015

Council of Europe and International Experience

Member of the Danish Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
2007–2025

Vice-President, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
2008–2011 and 2015–2017

Chairman of the Danish Delegation to PACE
2007–2011 and 2015–2019

Vice Chairman of the Danish Delegation to PACE
2011–2015 and 2019–2022

Chairman, Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee), PACE
2020–2022

Vice-Chairperson, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Group in PACE
2008–2024

Co-Rapporteur on Georgia, PACE Monitoring Committee
2010–2015

Other Leadership Positions

Chairman, European Policy Committee, The Liberal Party (Venstre)
2010–2024

Vice Chairman, Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (DIPD)
2015–2022

Local Government

Mayor, Randers Municipality
2002–2006

Member, Randers City Council
1998–2006

Earlier Professional Experience
Sales & Marketing Coordinator, ProInfo A/S
Randers | 1997–2002

Sales Assistant, Salling A/S
Aarhus | 1995–1997

Education

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Middlesex University, United Kingdom | 2024–2026

Board Leadership Programme
Niels Brock Executive, Copenhagen | 2024

BSc in Economics (Sales Specialisation)
Danish Business Academy, Randers | 1999

Higher Commercial Examination (HHX)
Randers Business School | 1995

Honours & Decorations

Knight 1st Class of the Order of the Dannebrog
2023

Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
2015

Personal Information

Born 16 March 1976.

Married, three children.