Concerns over progress toward a Nordic e-ID solution
At its meeting on 13 April, the Committee for Growth and Development stated that it is concerned that one of the most prestigious of Nordic co-operation projects is faltering. The Finnish delegation to the Nordic Council first raised the issue in October 2020 and asked the Council to intervene. The Committee for Growth and Development has been following progress since the project started.
“Facilitating free and seamless movement throughout the Region for people and businesses is the most important element of Nordic co-operation. An e-ID system that is secure and works well throughout the Nordic Region will serve both people and businesses well. Failure to provide such a system just is not an option,” commented Pyry Niemi, the committee chair.
An e-ID system that is secure and works well throughout the Nordic Region will serve both people and businesses well. Failure to provide such a system just is not an option
NOBID
The Nordic/Baltic e-ID project (NOBID) was initiated by the Nordic Council of Ministers in January 2018, following an idea put to it by the Nordic Council. The idea was to develop technology that facilitates the recognition of national eID solutions across national borders. The technical solution is in place. It is now up to national agencies to sign up to the system, but work on this is faltering.
Concerns about progress and consistency
The Finnish delegation to the Nordic Council is worried that national systems might not be compatible with the other countries, which could lead to delays and higher costs. The delegation submitted the following motion to the Nordic Council:
The Committee for Growth and Development in the Nordic Region proposes that the Nordic Council recommend to the Nordic governments that they integrate their national electronic identification systems in a way that is secure, cost-effective and in line with the prime ministers’ Vision 2030 to promote cross-border freedom of movement.
The committee passed the motion unanimously.
“We share the Finnish delegation’s concern and stress that the political ambition behind the NOBID project must be realised. There really is no alternative to success in this area. The people and businesses of the Nordic Region have a legitimate expectation that this matter will be resolved as soon as possible. All of the countries need to move in the same direction and at the same pace,” Niemi stresses.
We share the Finnish delegation’s concern and stress that the political ambition behind the NOBID project must be realised. There really is no alternative to success in this area.
