Peace and Security in the Arctic

The words “Peace and Security" in the title of the presidency programme refer to the need to ensure the safety of the Nordic countries and their allied nations in the Arctic, the necessity of de-escalation in the region and placing greater emphasis on peaceful solutions. A new future vision for security in the Arctic region is needed. However, the word "security" also refers to other aspects related to the well-being and future of the Nordic countries, especially the inhabitants of the Arctic.

The end of the Cold War was followed by positive co-operation on many issues related to the Arctic between the countries and peoples of the region. Due to rapid changes of various types, they are now faced with difficult tasks but also with great opportunities.

A new situation has arisen in all relations that the Nordic countries and other democratic states have with Russia after the all-out Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Arctic issues included. Western co-operation with Russia on challenges concerning this region has been stopped to a great extent. New channels must be found for consultation on Arctic issues, and the Nordic countries can play a key role in this if they work together. The Arctic region has been and remains a major food source for communities. To ensure this will continue requires sustainable utilisation of resources. More effort needs to be made in the Arctic region to ensure diversity in food and innovation in the cultivation and procurement of inputs generally than in densely populated areas.

The situation of marginalised and minority groups can be difficult in small and sparsely populated communities where a support network is often lacking, for example, in the form of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This applies, among other things, to LGBTQ people, but also to disabled and chronically ill people. Ways need to be sought to support these groups and strengthen cross-border co-operation.

The living conditions of people in the Arctic differ in many respects from those further south in the Nordic countries and in Europe. The climate, sparseness of population, limited telecommunications infrastructure and demanding transportation make it often difficult to ensure an acceptable level of service in the health and welfare systems and other public services. Steps need to be taken to ensure residents of the Arctic have the same access to welfare services as other Nordic residents and that equality prevails in the relations and co-operation between the northern and southern areas of the Nordic Region.

In March 2023, the Nordic Council Presidium agreed to appoint a working group to examine the need to revise the Helsinki Treaty. Whatever the outcome of the Nordic Council, the Nordic governments and the national parliaments of the countries proves to be, this process could serve as an occasion and an opportunity to discuss and review many important issues concerning the Nordic countries and Nordic co-operation. During Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council, special emphasis will be placed on this work. 

The title of Iceland's 2023 presidency programme for the Nordic Council of Ministers is "The Nordic Countries - a force for peace". During its presidency of the Nordic Council, Iceland will continue the work done by the country during its Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers, with particular focus on peace and security in the Arctic.

The roots of Nordic co-operation, which reach back to the 19th century, reflect to a major extent an attempt by Nordic nations to stand together to defend themselves against the aggression of great powers. While the countries have often had different foreign policy priorities, they nevertheless have enjoyed positive and successful co-operation for a long time. The Nordic countries have emphasised strengthening international organisations, especially through the United Nations, and promoting and protecting international law and treaties rather than relying on large-scale militarisation to ensure their security. There is a strong tradition of Nordic countries mediating in the disputes of other nations and supporting values, such as the right of self-determination of small nations and the protection of human rights, in word and in deed.

The prospect of all of the Nordic countries joining NATO means that the situation has changed. In 2024, 75 years will have passed since the founding of the alliance. It can be an occasion for discussion of the co-operation, role and position of the Nordic countries within NATO with the active involvement of the Nordic Council. Ways need to be sought to ensure and strengthen security and defence co-operation between the Nordic countries aimed at encouraging long-term peace and security. Updating the Helsinki Treaty to include these issues could be one step in this direction.

Issues concerning Ukraine and neighbouring countries, such as the Baltic states, which are especially threatened by the expansionist strategy of the Russian government, have been at the centre of discussions on defence and security in the Nordic Council since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Baltic States have much in common with the Nordic countries, and during Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council its close co-operation with the Baltic Assembly will continue, not least in order to support the struggle of the Ukrainians and the opposition movements in Belarus and Russia.

However, the effects of increased tension in the West's relations with Russia are visible more widely, including in the Arctic region. All co-operation with Russia on the Arctic Council, the Barents Council, the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference  has either been wound down quite considerably or stopped completely.

The Nordic countries have emphasised that the Arctic is and should be a low-tension zone with regard to armed hostilities. To achieve this, we need to work for peace and peaceful solutions.

All communication with Russia on Arctic issues ought to be revised. The Nordic countries can play a key role in these efforts, especially if they work together on the basis of common values and priorities. The Arctic Council has long been the most important forum for co-operation on Arctic issues and will continue to be so. The member states of the Council have concluded three important agreements that form the basis for co-operation: an agreement on search and rescue in the Arctic; an agreement on responses to oil pollution in the Arctic; and an agreement on scientific co-operation in the Arctic. Work must continue to reach the goals set out in the three agreements

Nordic countries will chair the Arctic Council until 2029, providing an opportunity to co-ordinate and harmonise policy and objectives in Arctic issues. During Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council, ways will be sought to strengthen co-operation between the Nordic countries in the Arctic Council.

Food security and security of supplies in general is a major concern for the inhabitants of the Arctic. Food security was a priority issue in the work of the West Nordic Council in 2023, and Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council will continue that work.

The northern- and westernmost parts of the Nordic Region have historically been peripheral areas subjected to the domination of the stronger forces of the south and east. There are many differences in the culture and way of life of the inhabitants of the Arctic, such as the Sámi and Greenlanders, and those who live further south in the Nordic countries. The peoples of the Arctic have long sought to establish a more independent status for themselves. Finns had to make great sacrifices to gain full independence from the great power to the east that is currently attacking Ukraine; Iceland began its journey to independence in the 19th century which finally concluded with the establishment of a republic in 1944; and the governments of the Faroes and Greenland have gradually taken control of issues that were previously the responsibility of the Danes.

The stronger position of the Ålanders, Faroese and Greenlanders has been a positive and important factor in the development of Nordic co-operation in recent decades. A major step was taken with the adoption of the Åland Document in 2007, but the discussion has continued and it is important that these countries participate in all decisions that concern them on an equal basis.  

Nordic co-operation has its roots in Scandinavianism, the co-operation and unification ideas of Norwegians, Swedes and Danes in the 19th century. In that context, it was natural that the three Scandinavian languages, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian, were dominant. This arrangement continued when Scandinavian co-operation became Nordic, i.e. when Finland and Iceland joined the Nordic Inter-Parliamentary Union (NIPU) in the first half of the 20th century, and when the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers were established in the second half of that century.

At the request of Finns and Icelanders, and in good collaboration with the other member states, the position of Finnish and Icelandic in Nordic co-operation has strengthened over the past years and decades. However, the situation of participants with Finnish and Icelandic as their mother tongue is far from equal to that of persons whose mother tongue is Swedish, Norwegian or Danish. This is evident at meetings of the Nordic Council but also in other collaboration, for example, in the Nordic Youth Council.

Demands that more native languages of the Nordic countries also be taken into consideration have grown in recent years. In Greenland, Iceland, Finland and the Faroe Islands, proficiency in Scandinavian languages has long been declining, while at the same time proficiency in English has increased. This trend looks likely to continue, and if so it can be expected to increase the inequality in opportunities for participation due to language skills. In this connection an examination could be made of the potential for advances in language technology of various kinds to alleviate this problem.

During Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council, ways will be sought to reduce the imbalance between participants in Nordic co-operation so that everyone can, as far as possible, use their mother tongue for communication. This can be done, for example, in connection with a possible revision of the Helsinki Treaty. Special consideration will also be given to equalising the situation of representatives in the Nordic Youth Council.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sharpened the divide between liberal democracies, on the one hand, and totalitarian states, where the rights and status of the population depend on the whims and self-interest of the ruling class, on the other. Democracies in Europe and elsewhere have woken up to the importance of protecting their fundamental values.

Respect for the rights of marginalised and minority groups is generally strongest in countries where democracy has strong roots and where human rights, equality and the rule of law are generally held in high esteem. In this context, marginal and minority groups include LGBTQ people, immigrants and ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities, as well as disabled and chronically ill persons.

Recent years have witnessed setbacks in democratic development and issues concerning various marginal and minority groups in many parts of the world. Extremism and undemocratic governance have led to restrictions on the rights of certain groups, often those who were most vulnerable. The equality and self-determination of women have also been attacked. These tendencies have been noticed in the Nordic countries but, fortunately, to a lesser extent than in most other places.

In the past, LGBTQ and other groups from the peripheral areas of the Nordic countries who stood out from the crowd in some way tended to move to urban areas in the south. There, it was possible to disappear into the crowd or seek the support of other individuals in the same situation and escape or protect themselves from the prejudices of the majority. Disabled and chronically ill people have also long sought to go to urban areas far from their homes to obtain the services they need, at great effort and expense.

Understanding of the importance of the diversity of human life and of the different situations of people has increased in Nordic societies, and legislation has developed accordingly. During Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council, emphasis will be placed on strengthening co-operation between the Nordic countries on issues related to equality and marginal and minority groups, especially in sparsely populated peripheral areas. Efforts will be directed at co-operation with organisations and advocates of these groups during the presidency year. 

The Nordic countries have attracted global attention for the progressive steps taken to promote gender equality and the status of LGBTQ people. The Nordic Council needs to advocate for these rights and other values related to democracy and human rights on the international stage. The Nordic countries need to be encouraged to join hands to defend them. The revision of the Helsinki Treaty could be an opportunity to define and communicate the priorities of the Nordic Council in this area. 

One of the main tools used by totalitarian states and their allies to undermine democracy is the spread of fake news and the promotion of extremist views at home and abroad. By doing so, they aim to create chaos, uncertainty and disunity and bring different groups into conflict with one another. The Nordic countries need to unite to protect themselves from these attempts.

The media are among the most important pillars of a democratic society. Their role becomes even more important in times of conflict and information disorder. Technological changes in recent decades have caused major difficulties for traditional media and rapid changes can be expected to continue in the coming years, for example, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). Powerful media in the major cities of the Nordic countries have mostly held their ground through this period of revolution, but local and smaller media in peripheral areas are facing difficulties. During Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council, the focus will be on the different status of the media and information dissemination in densely populated areas, on the one hand, and in peripheral areas, on the other, and on how to ensure access to reliable news and information for all Nordic residents.

The Nordic countries are world leaders in work on environmental and climate issues based on a just transition.

In the Arctic, the effects of climate change are felt earlier and more strongly than in many other places. Due to the fragility of the Arctic nature, together with its climate, sparse population and large distances, it can be difficult to respond to environmental disasters and other threats.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused increased tension and made all relations between the West and Russia, including in the Arctic, more difficult. The Arctic Council will continue to be the most important forum for co-operation on the environment and other Arctic issues, but the relationship to Russia will become even more challenging than it has been up until now.

Russia has greatly increased its military activities in the Arctic in recent years, and other countries have to some extent followed suit. Russian activities in the Barents Sea area and elsewhere involve extensive pollution.

In the short term, the Nordic countries need to join hands with Canada, the United States and other friendly countries to respond to the situation that has arisen. In the longer term, a new vision for the co-operation of all the states in the Arctic and other parties must be formulated to deal with the common global challenges in the region.

Iceland's presidency of the Nordic Council aims to promote further dialogue and consultation between the Nordic countries and other countries regarding the aforementioned environmental and climate goals. How the importance of these issue can be adequately addressed in connection with a possible revision of the Helsinki Treaty will also be examined.

In implementing this presidency programme, indigenous peoples and other inhabitants of the Arctic, their organisations and advocates, will be important partners of the Nordic Council. Also included in these efforts will be organisations and advocates of marginalised and minority groups, e.g. LGBTQ people’s organisations.

During the presidency year emphasis will be placed on working with the Nordic countries’ neighbours in the west on the priority issues described here. These include the UK, not least Scotland, which has expressed great interest in closer collaboration with the Nordic countries, as well as Canada and the US. There will also be close collaboration with other parliamentary organisations working on Arctic issues, including the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region (CPAR), the West Nordic Council, the Barents Parliamentary Conference, the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) and the European Parliament.

There will be close cooperation and consultation with the Nordic Youth Council during the year of the presidency to ensure that the voices of young people are heard and their interests considered. Other important partners include the Norden Associations and other Nordic co-operation organisations.

The Arctic Circle is an important forum for open discussion on Arctic issues. During Iceland's presidency, the intention is for the Nordic Council to participate actively in the annual Arctic Circle conference in Reykjavík, and possible participation in other conferences and events related to these issues will be explored.