The Prime Minister presented the programme for the Norwegian Presidency of the Council of Ministers 2012 at the annual Session of the Nordic Council in Copenhagen today. The main themes are the welfare state and how it will evolve in a Nordic perspective.

The programme prioritises three areas: work and sustainable welfare, green growth, knowledge and innovation and Nordic affinity.

Work and welfare for all

The Norwegian Presidency will address the issue of how the welfare state works and how the public sector can operate more effectively.

"Co-operation between the public sector and the two sides of the labour market will play a key role. Work and sustainable welfare are interlinked and we need to generate jobs to make sure that nobody is left behind," says the Norwegian Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Rigmor Aasrud.

One of the foundations of the Nordic welfare model is an openness that is linked to a basic sense of security for all. Developing welfare in the Region is about generating value and how it is distributed.

A leading region

The Presidency will also focus on youth, an inclusive and family-friendly labour market, prevention of drop-out from schools and easing the transition form school to the world of work. Developing adequate welfare provisions and a sustainable society are also dependent on fundamental values such as equality.

Norway wants the Nordic Region to remain at the forefront of green growth, knowledge and innovation.

Freedom of movement and cross-border partnerships are important elements of Nordic co-operation, and restrictions on cross-border business and on student mobility need to be removed.

Norway will also maintain cultural ties and the sense of Nordic identity, e.g. promoting the understanding of neighbouring languages.

For further information, please contact: Head of the Nordic Secretariat, Anne Sofie Bjelland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, mobile +47 951 00 579.