23 March marks Nordic Day, a celebration of the world’s oldest regional political collaboration – the one among the Nordic counties. This co-operation became official with the Helsinki Treaty, commonly known as the Nordic Constitution, which was signed on 23 March 1962 between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland.
The Treaty stipulates that the parties involved will maintain and further develop cooperation in areas such as justice, culture, social affairs, environmental protection, infrastructure and the economy. It also ensures that when drafting laws and regulations, equal treatment is guaranteed for all Nordic citizens.
This year, Nordic Day was celebrated with a series of events over several days, not only in the Nordic countries but also in the Baltic States. The theme for this year is preparedness and strengthening cooperation across the region. This topic was addressed also by Ann Sofie Stude, Head of the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during an event at the Finnish Embassy on 28 February attended by Nordic local partners.
Since the signing of the historic Treaty, Nordic cooperation has expanded significantly, and the ties with the Baltic States feel stronger than ever. We share fundamental democratic values and believe that the Nordic Region can become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world.
More details about the Nordic cooperation is available by following this link https://www.norden.org/en
Happy Nordic Day!
In the photo: Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden illuminated in the colours of the five Nordic flags.
Photo by www.oresundsbron.com
