On the initiative of the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM), on September 5, directors of the three NCM offices in all the Baltic countries attended the meeting of the Nordic Committee for Cooperation (NSK) in Stockholm.
At the meeting, the Baltic offices presented the multifaceted work of the NCM in the Baltic region, which is based on instruments such as mobility programmes, cooperation projects and close collaboration with the Nordic embassies. Moreover, the need for strengthened ties in the Nordic-Baltic region was underlined, not least against the background of the changing security situation around the Baltic Sea. The Baltic side expressed a clear interest in developing and deepening cooperation further with the Nordic countries, using both institutional and ad-hoc solutions to include Baltic perspectives on the region’s future and strengthen regional resilience.
Cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries have been active and ongoing for several decades, yet it’s been quite some time since the previous invitation for the Baltic offices of the NCM to attend an NSK meeting which takes place 8–10 times a year. NSK is composed of senior civil servants from the Nordic countries. It is responsible for the day-to-day work of Nordic inter-governmental cooperation – including international cooperation – and for the NCM secretariat in Copenhagen.
The Nordic cooperation could be perceived as complex in its organisation, but pragmatic and inclusive solutions were needed to engage with the Baltic countries as much as possible, both with institutions, academia and civil society. Joint cooperation was advantageous for all parties since the Baltic countries are at the forefront in many societal areas such as digitalisation, cyber security and innovation. The Nordic countries had an interest in highlighting their values through taking part in respectful dialogues with the Baltic countries on creating sustainable societies. The NCM’s presence in Daugavpils and Narva was also mentioned as an important means to ensure Nordic engagement outside of the capitals.
In the photo: Estonian office Director Maria Gratschew, NCM Secretary General Karen Ellemann, Latvian office Director Stefan Eriksson and Lithuanian office Director Helen Nilsson.
