Foreword

In 2019, the Nordic prime ministers adopted a common vision for Nordic co-operation, with an aim for the region to be the world’s most sustainable and integrated region by 2030. This is an important and ambitious vision which will require effective initiatives and policies – including within the area of economic and fiscal policy.

Sound and strong economic political frameworks and responsible fiscal policies in the Nordic countries are crucial preconditions in order for us to ensure economic stability and increase levels of employment and prosperity in the Nordic Region – and, in so doing, achieve our own common vision for the region. As small, open and export-dependent economies, it is crucial that we stick firm to this.

The green and digital transition will bring new opportunities, but also new challenges. Achieving our climate goals will require an effective green transition. Economic policy in the Nordic countries needs to work to ensure that this transition is undertaken in a fair and cost-effective way. Moreover, in a way that creates opportunities for everyone in the Nordic Region.

We are facing new structural conditions that will affect our economies and public finances in the years to come. The populations of the Nordic countries are ageing, at the same time as a changing and more difficult security situation and geopolitical reality is forcing us to allocate more resources to defence and security, and obliging the Nordic economies to navigate a more uncertain international landscape.

The Nordic economies are well equipped to handle these challenges in a way that will create growth, stability and prosperity for Nordic populations. The Nordic Council of Ministers for Finance (MR-Finans) constitutes an important framework for collaboration between the Nordic governments on economic and fiscal politices.

With this co-operation programme for the 2025–2030 period, the Nordic Finance Ministers wish to prioritise focus and initiatives within the areas in which we can jointly – through the exchange of experiences, collaboration and a common approach to the handling of shared economic challenges – ensure strong and stable economic conditions for the Nordic Region.

Our objective is to maintain and further strengthen the economic resilience, competitiveness and growth potential of the Nordic countries. We wish to do this so that we will be well equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow, and to create positive change for the Nordic populations. And so that we can attain our vision of being the most sustainable and integrated region in the world. 

Happy reading! 

Elisabeth Svantesson, Swedish Minister for Finance and Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers 

Elisabeth Svantesson
Swedish Minister for Finance

Karen Ellemann
Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers