Summer Presidium meeting in Blekinge: focus on security in the Baltic
Nordisk Råds præsidium besøger Saab Kockums AB
The Presidium touring Saab Kockums AB in Karlskrona.
At the naval base in Karlskrona. the members of the Presidium were shown around HMS Nyköping, one of the Swedish Navy’s Visby-class corvettes, by Commander Bernt Andersson, who talked to them about the Swedish Navy and about Nordic naval co-operation. One of his points was that although each of the Nordic countries has its own strategy and naval profile adapted to its own waters and threats, this is actually a strength, because working closely together and supplementing each other makes them stronger as a group.
The Karlskrona visit offered a glimpse into the defence technology of the future. At the Saab Kockum AB shipyard, the politicians saw first-hand how new submarines and surveillance aircraft are built – crucial items for security in the Baltic Sea and for the overall security of the Nordic Region.
Blekinge trip not just about defence
The Presidium agenda also included policy discussions and decisions of importance to the whole Nordic Region. Progress on cross-border freedom of movement was reviewed, including the idea of coordinating national population registers.
International strategy was also on the agenda. The President of the Nordic Council, Heléne Björklund, pointed out that the Nordic voice attracts attention. “We are seeing growing international interest in working with the Nordic Council. More international actors are reaching out to us now than ever before,” she said.
The Presidium also took stock of the preparations for the most important political event of the year for the Nordic Council, the Session in Stockholm in week 44. They also continued to work on a proposed reform aimed at ensuring better representation of all eight Nordic countries on the Presidium.
A three-year extension was also agreed to the contract of the Secretay General of the Nordic Council, Kristina Háfoss, before the meeting ended with the delegations from Finland and Åland giving a preview of the programme for the Presidency of the Nordic Council in 2026,when societal security and resilience will be key themes.
