Guidelines for the Nordic Council of Ministers' co-operation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania 2009-2013
The Nordic Council of Ministers' co-operation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania is directed by guidelines agreed by the Nordic Ministers for Co-operation in November 2008. These express a desire to develop Nordic-Baltic co-operation in areas of common interest and thus strengthen relations between the countries.
The guidelines are designed to underpin the activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers and should be seen as a starting point for further development of joint ambitions and activities.
The multilateral partnership between the Nordic Council of Ministers and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania must be a politically focused co-operation on equal terms.
The Nordic Council of Ministers has a special interest in developing certain key areas which are include the following central themes in particular:
- Education, research and innovation
- Business, cluster co-operation and creative industries
- The environment, climate and energy efficiency
- Cross-border challenges of the welfare society
- Cross-border partnership
Forging closer ties in Nordic-Baltic co-operation is an ongoing process which takes place within the framework of the different departmental areas.
The Nordic Information Office in each of the three Baltic capitals also plays a central role in this dynamic and co-operative process.
