Denmark’s new Minister for Nordic Co-operation has sights set on Vision 2030

22.12.22 | News
Louise Schack Elholm
Photographer
Steen Brogaard
Louise Schack Elholm has been appointed as Denmark’s new Minister for Nordic Co-operation as part of the new government coalition comprising the Social Democrats, Venstre, and the Moderates.

Schack Elholm is Denmark’s new Minister for Nordic Co-operation, a job she is looking forward to embarking on and believes is important for several reasons:   

“It’s important to maintain a keen focus on our shared vision of creating the most integrated and sustainable region in the world. Our ongoing efforts to remove obstacles to freedom of movement in the Nordic Region is central in this context. We must ensure that our Nordic citizens can work and study freely throughout the region. A common Nordic education and labour market creates growth and development, and strengthens the region’s international competitiveness. I’m also looking forward to working closely with my Greenlandic and Faroese colleagues on these issues in the Nordic Council of Ministers,” says Schack Elholm.

 

It’s important to maintain a keen focus on our shared vision of creating the most integrated and sustainable region in the world

Louise Schack Elholm, Denmark’s new Minister for Nordic Co-operation

Why Nordic co-operation is important

The Minister for Nordic Co-operation points out that Nordic co-operation is important for several reasons, not least in light of the current security situation and in the wake of a pandemic that few expected. Schack Elholm elaborates:  


“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is felt everywhere and has changed our security situation. Close Nordic co-operation is extremely important under these circumstances. COVID-19 increased the need for Nordic co-operation on crisis management. We must be unwavering in our focus on working together, given the current wartime footing that we now face in Europe.”

Iceland’s presidency – a force for peace

A new year brings with it a new presidency for the Nordic countries, with Iceland taking over at the helm. 


“I’m looking forward to working with the Icelandic presidency and have read Iceland’s presidency programme ‘A force for peace’ with great interest. I completely agree that peace is a prerequisite for preserving our shared Nordic values and welfare and look forward to participating in the presidency’s international peace conference in Reykjavik,” says Schack Elholm. 


 

Peace is a prerequisite for preserving our shared Nordic values and welfare

Louise Schack Elholm, Denmark’s new Minister for Nordic Co-operation

Chairing roles relevant to Nordic co-operation

Schack Elholm is a member of the Venstre party. Within the party she has held a number of roles chairing a variety of policy areas, which are also relevant to Nordic co-operation, including children and families, gender equality, primary school education, tax, and housing. Schack Elholm takes over the role of Danish Minister for Nordic Co-operation from Flemming Møller Mortensen.