About the Ministers for Co-operation

In practice, the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation, on behalf of the Prime Ministers, assume responsibility for the co-ordination of inter-governmental co-operation.

Each country appoints a minister for Nordic co-operation, who, in addition to running his/her own ministry, is delegated responsibility for co-ordination of inter-governmental co-operation.  The Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland also appoint a minister for Nordic co-operation.

Leadership of inter-governmental co-operation

The ministers for Nordic co-operation lead inter-governmental co-operation and also make policy decisions. Only unanimous decisions can be carried out. This also applies to the various councils of ministers for policy areas.

They usually meet 5 or 6 times a year under the designation the Council of Ministers for Nordic Co-operation. The meeting is chaired by the Minister for Co-operation of the country holding the Presidency. The Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers rotates between the Nordic nations and lasts for one calendar year.

During the Nordic Council's annual meeting, the Session in the autumn, there is, amongst other things, a question time when the ministers for Nordic co-operation answer questions of relevance for Nordic co-operation from the Nordic parliamentarians who are members of the Council.