Nordic Prime Ministers: The Nordic countries to become the most integrated area in the world
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä hosted the Nordic Prime Ministers' annual informal summer meeting in Åland on 27 and 28 September. The premiers supported the recommendation presented by the Ministers for Nordic Cooperation, which aims to make the Nordic countries the most integrated area in the world.
The cooperation between the Nordic countries has been exceptionally close for decades by global standards. In this meeting, the Nordic premiers noted, among other things, that the cooperation in the energy sector has been particularly successful.
"Finland considers the Nordic Prime Ministers' meeting a very important tradition. We Nordics are family and friends. It is our goal to strengthen the Nordic countries' common voice in the world," Prime Minister Sipilä said.
"Common objectives and values strengthen the Nordic countries' position so that it is one of the most innovative and competitive regions in the world. For our Nordic region to operate more efficiently, we must remove barriers to free movement and develop new forms of cooperation, for example, by means of introducing digital solutions. Together we have the opportunity to take the lead in digitalisation," Sipilä said.
The promotion of free movement requires continuing efforts and therefore Finland has also invested in the removal of cross-border barriers. Companies' and people's free movement across borders is essential for economic growth and employment.
Finland has served as the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Minister this year. Finland has also sought to strengthen the Nordic countries' joint weight in the European Union.
The premiers also discussed the changing security situation in the Baltic Sea Region, migration and the cooperation between the Nordic countries and the United States. The premiers also had a meeting with representatives of the autonomous regions of the Åland Islands and the Faroe Islands and representatives of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Programme of the Finnish Presidency
Website of the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers
The meeting on Twitter #norden2016
Photos on Instagram @FinnishGovernment #norden2016
Inquiries: Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel. +358 40 748 3867, Prime Minister's Office, and Kari Kahiluoto, Chief of the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation, tel. +358295 351 556, Ministry for Foreign Affairs