Denmark and the Faroe Islands take over presidency of Nordic Council of Ministers
On 1 January, Denmark and the Faroe Islands will formally take over the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2026. During their presidency, Denmark and the Faroe Islands will work to forge even closer co-operation in the Nordic Region in areas such as societal security and the security of supply, cross-border crime, the region’s overall competitiveness, and the protection of children and young people in the digital age. The presidency will also work to ensure that Greenland and the Faroe Islands, as well as Åland, if so desired by Finland and Åland, can become equal partners in Nordic co-operation.
Denmark’s Minister for Nordic Co-operation Morten Dahlin says:
“The position of the Danish government is clear: We share the Faroese and Greenlandic desire for the Faroe Islands and Greenland to have the opportunity for full participation in Nordic co-operation on an equal footing with the other Nordic countries. This opportunity would, of course, also apply to Åland, should Åland and Finland so wish. I look forward to leading these efforts.”
The Faroese Minister for Nordic Co-operation Sirið Stenberg says:
“In these times, there’s a great need to strengthen relations and co-operation with our Nordic neighbours. The Faroe Islands have been part of Nordic co-operation for more than 50 years and participate actively in Nordic co-operation across all areas of society and in all sectors. For decades, the Faroe Islands have wished for and worked towards membership in their own name. That’s why it is with great pleasure that the Faroe Islands, together with Denmark, will assume the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. We will strive to establish a commission for updating the Helsinki Treaty and achieving full membership for the Faroe Islands.”
The Helsinki Treaty regulates the Nordic co-operation and is often referred to as the “Nordic constitution”. It was adopted in 1962 and was last updated in 1996.
Strong Ties in Changing Times
The presidency programme was published in October during the Session of the Nordic Council in Stockholm. On that occasion, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen stated:
“In such uncertain times, it is crucial that we stick together in the Nordic Region. We are strong countries united by a unique social model, with high levels of trust, a long shared history, and deep-rooted co-operation. This strong sense of community is something we need right now. That’s why the title of the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026 is ‘The Nordic Region: Strong Ties in Changing Times.’”
