Official Nordic co-operation

Nordens hus på Ved Stranden
Photographer
Mary Gestrin
The co-operation between the Nordic countries is the world’s oldest regional partnership. It involves Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland.

Nordic co-operation has deep roots in politics, economics and culture. In general, co-operation focuses on areas where a Nordic approach generates added value for the countries and peoples of the Region.

Nordic co-operation seeks a strong Nordic voice in the world and an in European and international forums. The values shared by the Nordic countries help make the region one of the most innovative and competitive in the world.

The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers

The Nordic Council of Ministers is the forum for inter-governmental co-operation, the Nordic Council for inter-parliamentary co-operation.

The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation are responsible for the work of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Nordic co-operation is based on the “Helsinki Treaty”, which stipulates that the co-operation ministers assist the prime ministers in the coordination of Nordic issues.

The Nordic Council is run by a presidium consisting of elected parliamentarians from all of the Nordic countries. The members discuss topical issues and the future of Nordic co-operation with the prime ministers once a year at a summit meeting held during the Session of the Nordic Council.

To make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world

The Nordic prime ministers announced their vision for Nordic co-operation on 20 August 2019: Our vision is that the Nordic region will become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The co-operation in the Nordic Council of Ministers must serve this purpose.