The political co-operation is built on common values and a willingness to achieve results that contribute to a dynamic development and increase Nordic competencies and competitiveness.
The Nordic Council is the Nordic inter-parliamentary body, while the Nordic Council of Ministers is the inter-governmental body. A range of other Nordic organisations and associations also exist.
The common Nordic initiatives in recent times have been called "Nordic zigzag" by some people. Going back 1000 years the fluctuations between periods of war and periods of solidarity were even greater. However, in the 20th and 21st centuries we observe a continual greater co-operation occurring between the countries.