The 74th Nordic Council Session was held in Helsinki from 31 October to 3 November. The theme of the summit, where members of the Nordic Council met with Nordic prime ministers, was the future role of the Nordic countries in a crisis-ridden world. The meeting agenda was dominated by security, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as energy and climate challenges.
Nordic prime ministers and foreign ministers agreed that continuing to support Ukraine was critical and unquestionable. “We will, of course, continue to support Ukraine. They have to win this war,” said Norwegian Foreign Minister, Anniken Huitfeldt.
NATO accession of Finland and Sweden was also brought up. The newly elected Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, expressed his gratitude towards the Nordic neighbors for their support in the ongoing application process.
Moreover, Nordic cooperation with Baltic countries was highlighted in relation to Russia’s aggression. Finland's President, Sauli Niinistö, emphasised that these are difficult times indeed and that Nordic support for Ukraine must remain strong. He also stressed the increased importance of Nordic collaboration in such times, and that the collaboration should include working more closely with the Baltics.
“I would like to see the well-functioning NB8 cooperation aiming increasingly at security,” Niinistö stated in his address to the Nordic Council.
Since 1992, the Nordic-Baltic Eight, or NB8, has brought the five Nordic and three Baltic countries together to discuss current foreign and security policies in both a European and a global context.
“Cooperation between parliaments is already close, but I would encourage you to further strengthen contacts and the exchange of information and views, for example between key committees," Niinistö said.
His colleague, Finnish Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen, agreed. He underlined the inherited value of collaboration for the Nordic and Baltic countries, which share not only a geographical region but also beliefs and values.
Next to foreign and security policy, sustainability and climate change continue to be prioritised on the Nordic agenda.
“The vision of a sustainable and integrated Nordic Region is just as relevant as when it was adopted in 2019, if not more so. We’re living in a time of multiple crises – what with the war in Europe and challenges in relation to energy supplies, and not least climate change and the loss of biodiversity. That’s why we must continue to make the environment and climate a top priority in Nordic co-operation,” said Anne Beathe Tvinnerheim, Norway's Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Chair of the Ministers for Nordic Cooperation in 2022.
Norway will hold the Nordic Council presidency in 2023. Norwegian MP Jorodd Asphjell was elected the Nordic Council's new president for 2023. Norway intends to strive for “a secure, green, and youthful Nordic region”.
