"The goal must be to remove every obstacle to freedom of movement, and that is not the same as informing citizens that obstacles exist", said Johan Linander from Sweden. Several other representatives in the Nordic Council called for fixed methods for the co-ordination of both national legislation and the implementation of EU directives.

"It is ironic that it is exactly the implementation of EU directives, which aim to remove border obstacles at a European level, that create new obstacles here in the Nordic Region", said Ole Norrback, chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers' Freedom of Movement Forum. Norrback and the forum were the subject of tremendous praise from the MPs for their work to remove border obstacles. Norrback himself criticised the Nordic authorities for being unclear in the signals they sent to the public administrations and to those who interpret the law.

Freedom of movement is fixed agenda item

"The Freedom of Movement Forum still meets unclear and hesitant responses from bureaucrats when we point out the obstacles to freedom of movement. It is very frustrating, even though it is often not due to lack of will, but lack of knowledge, and even though there has been an improvement for the better", said Norrback.

He was pleased that freedom of movement is now a fixed agenda item at all meetings between the Nordic ministers for co-operation, but did not think that any of the Nordic countries had distinguished themselves in a particularly positive direction.
"They are all competing for last place", concluded Norrback humorously. "If I had known what I know now when I was minister for co-operation for eight years, I would have done what I hope the current ministers will do: be proactive and work faster. The Freedom of Movement Forum show up, but the politicians make the decisions. If we tread on any toes in the future, it might just be on purpose", stated Norrback.

Want a visit from Norrback

Finland's Minister for Co-operation, Jan Vapaavuori, would like to have a visit from what he called "Ole Norrback's crowd".

"There is nothing to stop us choosing a week next year when the Freedom of Movement Forum visits all the Nordic countries and goes through all the proposals the government or a parliamentary committee has presented in that particular week. It will perhaps not improve the situation, but will give rise to more knowledge with those who implement and draw up the national legislation, but who perhaps do not think about freedom of movement", said Vapaavuori.

The Nordic Council decided to ask the Nordic governments to guarantee that all Nordic citizens will have the possibility of using their civil registration number if they stay temporarily in another Nordic country.

"Civil registration numbers are necessary for everything from renting a film to renting a flat, and not least when you need to open a bank account. If we solve this problem, we will remove many obstacles to freedom of movement", said Ville Niinistö, Chair of the Citizens' and Consumer Rights Committee in the Nordic Council.