The Nordic Region: A region of opportunity close to you : Programme for The Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers 2007

• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Copenhagen : Nordic Council of Ministers 2006
• Subjects: Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:norden:org:diva-399

The five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, take turns to shoulder the responsibility for co-operation between the Nordic governments. The Secretariat to the Nordic Council of Ministers in Copenhagen takes care of practical matters and has responsibility for the ongoing administration. The Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers lasts one calendar year. The Finnish Presidency of the NCM moved from 2006 to 2007 because of Finland's Presidency of the EU in 2006, to avoid the two Presidencies overlapping. The Presidency is defined as follows in the Helsinki Treaty: "The Presidency rotates between the Nordic countries' governments according to agreement. The Presidency is responsible for co-ordinating the work of the Nordic governmental co-operation and takes the necessary actions. The Presidency manages the work in the Council of Ministers, at other ministerial meetings and in the governments' consultations in European and other international questions at all levels." The Finnish Programme will strive to strengthen the Nordic region in order to meet the challenges of globalisation. The programme stresses the importance of guaranteeing the success of the Nordic model, by further developing competitiveness and welfare. The programme will prioritise key factors such as education, culture, health and social services as well as gender equality, at the same time as promoting the Nordic countries' visibility in a global context. The Northern Dimension will be given particular attention, as will the condition of the Baltic Sea. Nordic energy policies, climate questions, freedom of movement between the Nordic countries as well as the promotion of Nordic mobility will also be emphasised. There will be particular focus on children and young people. Finland will strive to make Nordic co-operation more effective, to improve the opportunities for citizens to have influence and to awaken interest in Nordic co-operation.