New vision for Nordic co-operation
MR Sam möttes i Hella på Island juni 2019
After in-depth preparatory work, the Minsters for Nordic Co-operation agreed on the new vision for Nordic co-operation at their meeting in Hella in Iceland on 19 June. It will now be submitted to the prime ministers, who will make the final decision at their meeting in August.
A sustainable and integrated Nordic Region
“I am delighted with the outcome,” said Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson (Iceland), who chaired the meeting. “Right from the outset, we agreed that we wanted a clear and ambitious vision. We have that now,” he added.
The goal is to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world within a decade.
“Our vision is based on Nordic characteristics and strengths, as well as on what we know that the people of the Region expect from our co-operation,” the minister stressed.
Right from the outset, we agreed that we wanted a clear and ambitious vision. We have that now.
The vision will guide our work and budget
The Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Paula Lehtomäki, describes the vision as the overarching document for Nordic co-operation.
“The vision and the strategic priorities underpinning it will impact on everything we do in the next few years, including on our budget, of course,” she said.
The Secretary General also noted that the clarity of the priorities will facilitate the work.
“It is good to know exactly where the countries want us to focus our energies.”
Strategic priorities for the next four years
Once the prime ministers have finalised the document, all eleven ministerial councils will be asked to outline objectives and activities designed to achieve the ambitions formulated in the vision and strategic priorities.
The priorities set now will guide work on Nordic co-operation for the next four years.
Denmark, which has just had a general election, insisted on inserting a proviso to the decision because its new government has not yet been formed.
