Tuesday marks the 25th anniversary of the Øresund Bridge, the iconic structure that has connected Denmark to Sweden since 2000.
An average of over 100,000 passengers travel across the bridge by car or train every day.
According to Danish Minister of Transport Thomas Danielsen, Øresund represents not only physical ties between the two countries, but also symbolic ties of regional cooperation.
“A lasting connection. This creates prosperity and positive development in the Øresund region. As the Øresund region is perhaps one of the most powerful transnational regions in the world, it has produced something incredibly good,” Danielsen said.
According to Mayor Malmo, Katrin Szeenfeld Jammeh, the bridge is a major contributor to Sweden’s economy.
“The labor market in the region is growing. Many Danish companies want to recruit on the Swedish side,” she said.
“Many Malmö locals suddenly gained access to a much larger labor market. Copenhagen and its proximity to the world contributes to companies that choose to establish themselves and grow here,” Jamèmeh added.
As part of the celebration, King Frederick and Mary of Denmark, King Carl Gustav and Queen Sylvia of Sweden met on the Swedish side of the bridge.
The royal couple then drove across the bridge and stopped on Peverholm Island, in the middle of Øresund, to close the ceremony on the Danish side.
When the bridge was built 20 years ago, it was expected to last around 100 years. However, recently, scientists at Lund University have presented plans on how to double its lifespan.
