"People, goods and ideas need to flow freely across borders not only in the Nordic Region, but throughout the European Union," is the clear political message from Bertel Haarder, Minister for Nordic Co-operation, in the run-up to a major seminar on the Nordic Region and the EU at the Nordic Council of Ministers, November 25.

"The Nordic Region must assert itself as a dynamic region in Europe. To do that successfully, it is of crucial importance that there are no unnecessary obstacles to cross-border freedom of movement," Haarder explains.

"The Nordic Region already stands out as a special region within the Europe, so let's set a good example and eliminate unreasonable obstacles to cross-border freedom of movement that make life difficult for the individual citizen, student or company," he adds.     

The minister also stresses that the Region has an amazing opportunity to make a mark in the EU. He highlights the new Baltic Sea Strategy as a tangible example of how the Nordic countries work closely with the Union, e.g. on research, which is one of the cornerstones of the strategy.

"The Nordic Top-Level Research Initiative is the biggest joint Nordic research project ever. It shows that the Region possesses very specific answers to the challenges we face in the north, in Europe and at global level. It proves that we are capable of building up close partnerships and functioning research networks throughout the Region," he points out.

The Danish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2010 will devote extra effort to promoting freedom of movement.

Jesper F. Schou-Knudsen
Phone +45 33 96 03 55
Email jsk@norden.org

Further information:
Eva Marie Bagge Steenberg, Secretariat of the Minister for Nordic Co-operation, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, evabag@um.dk, +45 33 92 00 00