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The Nordic Council of Ministers

Despite its name the Nordic Council of Ministers consists, in fact, of several councils of ministers (MR). Most of the Nordic ministers for specific policy areas meet in the council of ministers between one and five times a year.

A Committee of Senior Officials is attached to each council of ministers. The Committees of Senior Officials consist of civil servants from the member countries.

They act as the council of ministers' representatives and prepare and follow up on business in hand. The Committees of Senior Officials may meet as often as ten times a year.

In addition, there are often working groups for special matters under the respective council of ministers/committee of senior officials.

Work in the councils of ministers and the committees of senior officials often follow a strategy lasting several years. These strategies are complemented by a one year Programme for the Presidency.

The Presidency has great influence over how the work in the councils of ministers and the committees of senior officials is run and which questions will be put on the agenda. The Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Committees of Senior Officials rotate annually between the countries.