Digital services to make day-to-day life easier

Nordic citizens have always been able to move freely between the Nordic countries to study, work, and live. This is something that Nordic public authorities welcome and encourage. However, the bureaucracy of each country does not always make for plain sailing, and this despite the public authorities of all the countries having digitalised their services. As digitalisation increases, so do the expectations of residents and businesses for the services to work anywhere and at any time.

As part of efforts to strengthen Nordic-Baltic co-operation on cross-border digital services, the Nordic and Baltic ministers intend to lead the way for digital integration in the region. The emphasis is on digital services that provide support for every eventuality when citizens and businesses move within and between the Nordic and Baltic countries.

In the new vision for Nordic co-operation, the overarching objective is that the Nordic Region is to be the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. Cross-border digital solutions are essential for achieving this. All the Nordic and Baltic countries are digitally mature. Although this has its advantages, maintaining this position requires constant development.

“Cross-border accessibility will improve freedom of movement, competitiveness, and regional integration. We are small countries and we stand stronger when we develop together,” says the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers Paula Lehtomäki.

At the meeting in Copenhagen on 6 March, the ministers discussed a variety of matters including Europe’s digital future with the Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager. By co-operating on digital services, the Nordic and Baltic countries are taking a major and important step towards realising the digital single market that will link the countries of the EU and the EEA together digitally.