Foreword by the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation
The world needs more Nordic values, not fewer. Our region has something special to offer the world. We will use the Presidency to bring all eight Nordic countries even closer together and work to realise the prime ministers’ vision of the Nordic Region as the most integrated and sustainable region in the world.
We will achieve these goals by concentrating on specific policy areas. In particular, we will encourage closer co-operation in civil society as the Nordic Region consists, first and foremost, of its people.
The Nordic countries share many strong ties, such as our rich cultural heritage, physical infrastructure, social model, languages, democracies and strong civil society, all of which currently face challenges, not least due to geopolitical tensions. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided to launch an important new initiative focusing on societal security and preparedness in the Nordic Region. This will be in focus during the Presidency.
We will also prioritise the robustness of our democracies, which must never be taken for granted. Misinformation is more and more common in public debate, and threatens rather than promotes unity.
Although Nordic competitiveness is generally strong, we must do everything possible to improve it. Creeping regulation and bureaucracy prevent businesses and entrepreneurs from realising their full potential. We have commissioned an analysis of Nordic competitiveness, the results of which will be presented during the Presidency. We are very much looking forward to acting on its conclusions – and to the Presidency as a whole.
In the Nordic Region we stand together. Our unity has rarely been more important.
Photo By-, Land- og Kirkeministeriet & Amy Hansen
