Nordic cooperation is one of the oldest forms of regional cooperation in Europe and, as such, unique. The Nordic “constitution”, also known as the Helsinki Treaty – a document regulating the official cooperation among the Nordic countries – was signed on 23 March 1962 in Helsinki, Finland. The date has therefore been called the “Nordic Day”.
The signatory parties were all five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The treaty stipulates that the parties shall maintain and foster cooperation in the field of legislation, culture, social affairs, environmental protection, infrastructure, and economy. Likewise, the treaty provides for equal treatment of all Nordic citizens when devising laws and other regulations.
To mark the day, on 21 March the Embassy of Sweden in Latvia, in cooperation with our office, invited local partners to a celebratory event at the Hotel Bergs Suites, in Bergs Bazārs. The opening speeches were given by Stefan Eriksson, Director of our office, and Karin Höglund, Swedish Ambassador to Latvia. Cecilia Ruthström-Ruin, Head of the Europe and North America Department at the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, moderated the discussion part, where everyone was invited to contribute with questions.
In the present globally strained circumstances regional cooperation is more important than ever. This year, Sweden holds the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers and coordinates not only cooperation between the five Nordic countries (N5), but also Nordic-Baltic cooperation, commonly referred to as the NB8.
The guiding principles of the Swedish Presidency are ‘a safer, greener and freer Nordic region’. In line with Vision 2030 shared by all the Nordic countries, Sweden will continue efforts to make the Nordic region a leader in the green transition, and a globally competitive and socially sustainable region. Continuing to make it easier for businesses and people to operate across borders is crucial for competitiveness and growth of the Nordic region.
