Former president of the Nordic Council receives Benelux Award

The Benelux Awards, which recognise good co-operation, are awarded in conjunction with the session of the parliamentary assembly of the Benelux countries, which on Friday focused on migration issues. Höskuldur Þórhallsson pointed out the economic benefits demonstrated by the Nordic passport union, and the challenges posed by border controls between Denmark and Sweden in recent months.

“We need co-operation more than isolation now more than ever if we are to find shared structures and solutions. I find it extremely important to raise and discuss the challenges of migration. We have much to learn from one another in the form of our positive experiences,” he said.

The Nordic Council co-operates internally in its capacity as the parliamentary assembly of the Nordic countries, as well as with the Baltic Assembly and the Benelux Parliament. On Friday, Þórhallsson expressed his appreciation of the Nordic Council’s positive co-operation with the Benelux Parliament.

“Our regions are similar in many ways. Both have enjoyed regional co-operation that extends over several decades. I’m very pleased that this co-operation has both deepened and become more concerted in recent years.”

Other recipients of the 2016 Benelux Awards include Frans Timmermans, First Vice President of the European Commission, and Jānis Vucāns, President of the Baltic Assembly.

Jānis