Finance ministers discuss international issues

28.10.16 | News
Møde i MR-Finans i Helsingfors
Photographer
NMR
The Nordic finance ministers met in Helsinki on 28 October. The main topics on the agenda were Brexit and the integration of newcomers into Nordic society.

At their meeting, the finance ministers discussed the economic and political knock-on effects on the Nordic countries of the UK vote to leave the EU and the challenges Brexit poses for EU co-operation in the short and long-term.

“Brexit Is exactly the type of issue that shows the need for the Nordic countries to keep each other up to date and continue to work closely together,” said the Finnish Minister of Finance, Petteri Orpo, who chaired the meeting.

On the issue of newcomers, the ministers stressed the importance of getting refugees and immigrants into work as soon as possible. It is good for them, society and the public purse. The ministers compared assessments of the fiscal consequences of higher rates of immigration. 

The discussion by the finance ministers was a follow-up on their meeting last year and is part of the programme for working together adopted by the ministers for Nordic co-operation in July, which involves most of the specialist ministerial councils under the Nordic Council of Ministers. The finance ministers meet once a year to discuss topical economic issues and joint challenges.