Nordic governments investigating possibilities for revising Helsinki Treaty

The Helsinki Treaty, which was signed in 1962, forms the legal basis for Nordic co-operation by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council. The Helsinki Treaty was last revised in 1996 in connection with the accession of Finland and Sweden to the EU. In their February response to the Nordic Council’s recommendation, the Nordic governments stressed that in the current global context, Nordic co-operation and unity are more important than ever. 

However, it is important to look into how updating the treaty will impact other international agreements and responsibilities before proceeding with the matter. This is why, on 4 April 2025, the governments appointed Elina Pirjatanniemi, Professor of Constitutional and International Law at Åbo Akademi University, to study the legal implications related to the proposed revision. Pirjatanniemi will be supported by a team of experts in various fields of law. 

“We have received the Nordic Council’s requests and take them seriously – once the investigation is completed, the Nordic governments can decide how and in what way they want to proceed with a potential revision of the Helsinki Treaty,” says Finland’s Minister for Nordic Co-operation, Anders Adlercreutz.

The study is due to be completed at the end of 2025, after which it will be presented to the Nordic governments in early 2026.

“It's clear to everyone that, in the current and future geopolitical situation, formal Nordic co-operation carries both weight and significance. That's why I'm delighted that the governments have decided to initiate the legal review so that we can get a clear picture of the opportunities and potential that exists,” says Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Karen Ellemann.