The Nordic Council of Ministers is the forum for Nordic governmental co-operation. The Prime Ministers have the overall responsibility for Nordic Co-operation. In practice, responsibility is delegated to the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation and to the Nordic Committee for Co-operation, which co-ordinates the day-to-day work of the official political Nordic co-operation.
Despite its name, the Nordic Council of Ministers, founded in 1971, consists, in fact, of several individual councils of ministers. The Nordic ministers for specific policy areas meet in a council of ministers a couple of times a year. Currently there are 10 constellations of policy councils of ministers as well as the council of ministers for the ministers for co-operation. Decisions in any of the Nordic councils of ministers must be unanimous.
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers, which is held for a period of one year, rotates between the five Nordic countries. The country holding the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers draws up a programme which guides Nordic co-operation during the year.
Issues are prepared and followed up by the various Committees of Senior Officials which consist of civil servants from the member countries.
The Nordic prime ministers meet every year and, in addition, meet on other occasions such as before EU summit meetings. The Nordic Foreign and Defence ministers also meet regularly outside the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers.