An Open Nordic Region
Looking back at the past year
in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers 2003 The pictures on the back cover and on pages , and are from the exhibition Reflections – in a New Nordic Light.
On the back cover, left is a work by Magne Furuholmen (Norway), top right one by Vignie Johansson (Iceland), and bottom right one by Trondur Patursson (Faroe Islands). On page is a work by Olle Bonnièr (Sweden), and on page Per Kirkeby (Denmark) is supervising the instal- lation of a large decorative piece. On page , left is a picture of Per Hebsgaard’s glass studio, top right a work by Frans Widerberg (Norway), and bottom right one by Per Kirkeby.
Photo: Lars Gundersen.
Excerpt from the Exhibition Brochure the experience: All of the works presented The art of glasswork can be extremely versatile. have been created in the studio of Per Steen In the hands of renowned Nordic artists, this Hebsgaard. traditional material has entered new aesthetic It is impossible to imagine the world of dimensions. Glass sculptures, painting, objects Danish art without Per Hebsgaard, who has and tableware are only few of the multiple also earned an international reputation. artistic forms that glass can take. This exhibi- Due to his vast knowledge and particularly to tion includes works of both young artists and his unlimited desire to experiment with glass, already recognized masters, each distinguished he enjoys universal acclaim. Nothing seems to by an original creative approach. The exhibi- be impossible for him. A variety of fresh and tion will acquaint the viewer with the infinite original techniques have emerged out of his and exciting possibilities of this medium, alter- innovative spirit. The glassworks created in his ing our common conceptions of what glass- studio are more than merely applied art in the work can be. traditional sense. Reflections – in a New Nordic Artists who normally work with painting Light attempts to introduce the public to the and sculpting find ways to express new ideas in multitude of embodiments and forms of the medium of glass. Glass is undoubtedly an Nordic glasswork. old and familiar material. Traditional tech- niques of glass working have been known since the time when stained glass was manufactured in the Middle Ages. However, in the hands of contemporary artists this material becomes capable of transforming a traditional art into a progressive one, breaking out of its ordinary boundaries. In addition to the significance of the artist and of the artist’s work in this exhibi- tion, there is another factor that contributes to An Open Nordic Region
Looking back at the past year in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers
2003 Nordic Council of Ministers Store Strandstræde 18 DK-1255 Copenhagen K Denmark
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Photo Front cover, pages 4, 9, 17, 18, 20 and 27: Karin Beate Nøsterud; pages 7, 8, 11, 13 and 25: Mikael Risedal; Back cover, pages 1, 2 and 24: Lars Gundersen
541 312 Tryksag
An Open Nordic Region – Looking back at the past year in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers 2003
ANP 2004:708 © 2004 Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen
Print: Akaprint a/s, Århus 2004 Text: Information Department Design: Kjell Olsson Copies: 1,000 Printed on environmentally friendly paper that meets the requirements of the Nordic environmental label
Printed in Denmark isbn 92-893-0972-5 5Preface 6 Nordic Co-operation 6 Nordic Council 7 Nordic Council of Ministers 7 Building Blocks of an Open Nordic Region 8 »Integration Norden« 10 New Secretary General for the Nordic Council of Ministers 10 Nordic Council Session in Oslo 12 International Nordic Region 12 Nordic Countries and the European Union 12 Nordic Co-operation in a European Framework 13 Synergy through Better Co-ordination 14 Stronger Northern Dimension 15 Nordic-Baltic Dimension 16 Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health 16 Baltic States Join Nordic Investment Bank 17 Focus on Baltic Sea Region 18 Safety at Sea and the Environment 19 Focus on West Nordic Region 20 Freedom of Movement 20 Poul Schlüter Promotes Freedom of Movement 21 Nordic Region as a Single Market 21 Cross-border Obstacles on the Session Agenda 22 Positive Nordic Integration 23 Nordic Culture on Tour 23 Nordic Design 23 Cultural Exchange with West Balkans 24 Nordic Glass Art in St Petersburg 25 Nordic Region as Global Research Leader 25 White Paper on Research and Innovation 26 Nordic Dimension in National Research Institutes 26 Open Source Programmes from Nordicos 27 New NordPlus Educational Programmes 29 Facts 32 Loss of a Great Nordic Politician
Preface
charac- ous years. Nevertheless, we hope that the terised Nordic co-operation in . selected items give a representative pic- The most important were the intensifica- ture of Nordic co-operation over the past tion of co-operation all round the Baltic year. Please also visit www.norden.org to Sea – a natural reaction to enlargement find more detailed information on Nordic – and the efforts to remove border obsta- co-operation. Formal statements of cles in the Nordic Region. The signifi- accounts and other facts will be issued by cance of this co-operation is growing. the respective organisations during the Within Nordic co-operation work con- first half of . tinued with undiminished effort to find A brand new publication focusing on solutions to cross-border barriers in . issues relating to the future of the Nordic The simplification of customs procedures, countries will appear in the second half joint vocational qualifications, a new of . Nordic social convention, and new and The Nordic Region which is being built faster national civil registration systems as now is an open Nordic Region – facing well as a tax agreement for Swedish and towards our neighbours and all those who Danish border commuters are some of are seeking a new future in our part of the results. Through these and future Europe. efforts to make it simpler to work in the neighbouring countries, the Nordic Region will gain a competitive edge inter- nationally. Further steps were taken towards co- operation between partners of equal standing with the Baltic States. Forms of co-operation within Europe and the were debated both at governmental and parliamentary levels. Through joint Director of the Nordic Council Nordic-Baltic ministerial and parliamen- tary meetings, relationships were consoli- dated in order to create a joint region in Northern Europe, and to take advantage of common interests e.g. in the . The Nordic Annual Report for is a Secretary General of simplified edition in comparison to previ- the Nordic Council of Ministers
5 Nordic Co-operation
close political co-operation tant results of early Nordic co-operation. between the Nordic countries arose In later years, the focus has been on issues immediately after World War II. The such as the environment, gender equality, Nordic Council was set up in to facil- education and research, and integration. itate co-operation between Nordic parlia- Co-operation with the Baltic States and mentarians, and a series of groundbreak- Northwest Russia has especially been ing reforms were implemented over the emphasised. next few years. The Nordic governments Nordic co-operation involves Denmark, have co-operated in the Nordic Council Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden as of Ministers since . well as the autonomous areas of the The Nordic passport union, the joint Faroe Islands, Greenland and the Åland Nordic labour market and the same social Islands. security rights for Nordic citizens living in See also the organisation diagrams another Nordic country are three impor- on page .
Nordic Council
The Nordic Council is the inter-parlia- to monitor the implementation of deci- mentary body of the parliaments of sions about Nordic co-operation. The Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Presidium consisting of the President and Finland, as well as of the autonomous ordinary members is in charge of the
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS areas of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and everyday affairs of the Nordic Council. the Åland Islands. The Council consists of members elected by their respective parliaments. The political composition should
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION reflect the political balance in the individ- ual national parliaments as far as possible, but in the Council the members work together in party groups across national boundaries. The Nordic Council’s task is to take initiatives, advise the Nordic ministers and
6 Nordic Council of Ministers
The Nordic Council of Ministers is the consists of about different ministerial inter-governmental body of the govern- councils. The Nordic Council of Ministers ments of the Nordic countries and of the co-operates across national boundaries. autonomous areas. The one-year Presi- In exceptional circumstances, decisions dency alternates between the five Nordic taken by the Nordic Council of Ministers countries. are subject to approval by the national General responsibility for the Nordic governments or parliaments. Council of Ministers lies with the Prime The Nordic Council of Ministers is Ministers but is delegated in practice to responsible for approximately , on- the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation and going projects, and more than Nordic to the Nordic Committee for Coopera- institutions are financed either wholly tion. In addition to the Prime Ministers or in part by its budget. The institutions and the Ministers for Nordic Co-opera- solve specific tasks in clearly defined tion, the Nordic Council of Ministers spheres.
Building Blocks of an Open Nordic Region
The removal of remaining obstacles to Norwegian Inge Lønning was elected and the reduction of friction for freedom President of the Nordic Council to lead of movement were among the objectives of the Nordic Council in . The cre- ation of a stronger connection between Nordic co-operation and the national par- liaments was another goal. In the international arena, the Council aimed at using regional co-operation as a role model at European as well as at global level. Co-operation with the Baltic Assembly was to be strengthened and the Council was to contribute to the imple- mentation of the Northern Dimension. Conflict prevention and civilian crisis management as well as the fight against cross-border crime and trafficking in human beings were to be highlighted. Emphasis was placed on fighting racism, developing research and the society, and on improving the situation of Inge Lønning, Nordic Council children and young people. President in 2003
7 parliamentary co-operation and to follow Integration was another subject that up on the Council guidelines. At the Lønning raised. In his opinion, all the beginning of his period in office he Nordic countries have set admirable tar- declared that Nordic co-operation should gets for their integration policies, but they contribute towards making life easier for must be self-critical enough to realise that the people living in the Nordic Region. there is a wide gap between aims and “We still have problems in many areas in reality. Targets as such do not resolve any all Nordic countries. It is now high time problems. that we face up to the truth and accept the “Building a diverse and multicultural challenges ahead,” Lønning pointed out. society is no easy task. Integration is not Throughout the year Lønning referred the same as assimilation. It requires sacri- several times to the importance of solving fices to be made by everyone, even by the the various obstacles to freedom of move- relatively homogenous majority popula- ment in the Nordic countries. In an article tion,” said Inge Lønning. he wrote that the Nordic countries will be enlargement and the Northern less attractive in the future if freedom of Dimension were also on the agenda under movement is limited within the region. Lønning’s Presidency.
»Integration Norden«
The theme of the Swedish Presidency of immigrant women’s involvement and par- the Nordic Council of Ministers in ticipation in society and stopping housing was “Integration Norden”. The Swedish segregation. Minister Berit Andnor was chairperson for the Ministers of Nordic Co-operation in . “ enlargement makes the deepening of Nordic co-operation a pressing matter. It is also important to extend it to include the new Baltic Member States. Then we can collectively promote issues such as the environment, consumer policies, gender equality and welfare with greater weight within the ,” commented Berit Andnor about the work of integration in the Nordic countries. The programme for the Swedish Presi- Above: “Integration Norden”, dency addressed four different aspects of the Swedish Presidency integration. logo 2003 The first concerned integration within Berit Andnor, Swedish the Nordic countries – e.g. influence in politi- Minister for Nordic Co-operation in 2003 cal, economic, social and cultural life,
8 A conference was held in Malmö to Minister Poul Schlüter as special envoy to discuss the lives of immigrant women in promote freedom of movement. Schlüter the Nordic countries. Approximately was a major contributor towards giving delegates attended from the entire Nordic this work a central focus during the year. Region, including ministers, civil servants The third aspect concerned the integra- and immigrant women. The conference tion between the Nordic countries and the dealt with widely differing subjects, such adjacent areas. It is important to develop as arranged marriages, discrimination in co-operation with the Baltic States – everyday life and “men in alien cultures”. especially against the background of The second aspect concerned integra- enlargement. Co-operation with North- tion between the Nordic countries. Although west Russia was given high priority in the the Nordic countries have shared a com- Nordic programme for co-operation with mon labour market for years and all the the adjacent areas. Greater importance countries are included in the internal was attached to the work between the market, differences in certain national and Russia to create a common European regulations raise unnecessary barriers for economic area. the free movement of people, businesses The fourth aspect concerned the inte- and organisations. gration of the Nordic countries in Euro- During its Presidency Sweden syste- pean co-operation. Three Nordic countries matically dealt with specific obstacles and are members of the European Union and always set a fixed time frame for achieving two are part of the internal market results. A number of obstacles to freedom through the Treaty. Sweden worked of movement were abolished during the to increase the impact of Nordic positions year. An important element in the within the internal market. Nordic co- removal of cross-border obstacles was the operation can conversely produce valu- appointment of former Danish Prime able input to the European agenda.
9 Meetings of the European Council are of Gender Equality, Consumer Affairs and now preceded by a meeting of the Nordic the Environment. Furthermore, the entire Prime Ministers. This year the Baltic s Nordic Council of Ministers is involved in were invited to these meetings. During issues to a greater extent in accordance the Swedish Presidency, formal co- with guidelines drawn up in a programme operation was extended to the Ministers on an international Nordic Region.
New Secretary General for the Nordic Council of Ministers
Per Unckel from Sweden took over as Sec- visionary management. That is the best retary General of the Nordic Council of way to achieve results,” he said in a com- Ministers on January . Per Unckel is ment at the time of taking office. a former member of the Swedish Parlia- “There are many important areas ment. In he became chairman of the within Nordic co-operation. Last year Committee on the Constitution, and in freedom of movement and the difficulties he was elected leader of the parlia- of moving between the Nordic countries mentary party of the Moderate Party. drew most attention. Contact with the “I believe in networking with people countries around the Baltic Sea will be of rather than having them work in a hierar- increasing importance in the new Euro- chy. I am goal-oriented and not afraid of pean co-operation structure which is change, and I adhere to the principles of being outlined now,” said Per Unckel.
Nordic Council Session in Oslo
The discussion on freedom of movement Another example of advances in the was the main theme at the Nordic Council Nordic-Baltic relationship was that, for the Session on ‒ October. first time in the history of the Nordic Co-operation with East and West, as Council, the chairman of the Baltic Coun-
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS well as with the , was the subject of cil of Ministers, Lithuanian Prime Minis- much debate during the Session. The ter Algirdas Brazayskas, made a speech at announcement of the Nordic Prime Min- the opening of the Council Session. The isters that the Baltic States had officially Swedish Moderate Party leader, Fredrik been invited to become full members of Reinfeldt, repeated his party’s demand for AN OPEN NORDIC REGION the Nordic Investment Bank ( ) met full Council membership for the Baltic with wide acclaim. is the first Nordic States. The possibility for future Nordic- institution to include them. According to Baltic co-operation in Europe was empha- Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson, sised from several sides. this was a tangible expression of Nordic Exchange programmes for young peo- willingness to deepen Nordic-Baltic co- ple in the Nordic countries and Northwest operation, and could be the first of many. Russia, parliamentarians from Kaliningrad
10 visiting the Nordic countries, a theme meeting on the Northern Dimension with Russian parliamentarians, and an environ- mental action plan for the Murmansk area are some concrete measures for further co-operation with the East in . The sustainable use of marine resources, lack of transport infrastructure and the desire of the Faroe Islands for full mem- bership in the Nordic Council were issues in the debate on the West Nordic Region. Many issues will be followed up during by the Icelandic Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The Nordic countries need to coordi- Poul Schlüter, special nate their research resources to cope with envoy of the Swedish European and American competition. Minister for Nordic Co-operation to promote There was broad agreement between par- freedom of movement liamentarians and ministers when the Council of Ministers presented its White Paper on the future of research in the expressing her support for Sami member- Nordic Region. This Paper proposes that a ship of the Nordic Council. Nordic Research and Innovation Council, The Nordic Prime Ministers met and NoFIR, be set up. The debate stressed the also held a meeting with their Baltic col- need for attractive research environments leagues. The Council Presidium met the to retain the best scientists and to ensure leadership of the Baltic Assembly and that Nordic Centres of Excellence are agreed to hold the next joint session in world leaders in their fields. Pärnu in Estonia in April . The Envi- Environmental issues, especially con- ronment, Citizens’ and Welfare Commit- cerning the Baltic Sea and oil transport, tees debated e.g. gas and oil extraction as prostitution and trafficking in human well as nuclear waste with the leader of beings, wolf hunting and whaling stirred the Murmansk Regional Duma, Pavel up much emotion. The news of the estab- Sazhinov. The goal was to establish con- lishment of a Nordic Film Prize was tacts with Northwest Russia. received with great interest by the media. “The Northern Dimension is more and The annual Nordic prizes were more about democracy and sustainable awarded at a festive ceremony. The Swede development in Northwest Russia,” said Eva Ström won the Literature Prize for Jens Chr. Larsen from the Centre Group. her poetry collection “Revbensstäderna” Swedish parliamentarian Gabriel Mari Boine and Eva Ström (The Rib Cities), and the Finnish Nature Romanus from the Centre Group was League the Nature and Environment elected President of the Nordic Council Prize for their work with children and for , and Swedish Social Democrat young people. The winner of the Music Anita Johansson was elected to the newly Prize, Marie Boine, attracted attention by established office of Vice-President.
11 International Nordic Region
Nordic Countries and the European Union
“As the European Union welcomes new introduction to “Nordic Co-operation in members it is taking a large and important the . The Nordic Council of Ministers’ step towards European unity, prosperity European Activities ‒”. and peace. An enlarged will influence It is a report submitted by the Nordic co-operation in other international Council of Ministers to the Nordic forums too. Many different forms of Council. Partnerships in Nordic co-opera- co-operation will develop between the tion will have to be adjusted to meet the Member States, amongst other things requirements of the new challenges co-operation in regional groups.” emerging from a Europe with a com- This is a summary of the new chal- pletely new political map. lenges facing the Nordic countries in the
Nordic Co-operation in a European Framework
The Nordic Council of Ministers issues a “In a global age with a greatly enlarged yearly report on its European activities. , the challenge facing Nordic co- In the focus was on the relationship operation is to develop the intra-Nordic between Nordic co-operation and the dialogue on international questions and enlarged European co-operation. Particu- on European questions even further.”
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS lar emphasis was placed on collaboration “The challenge is to maintain and with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and develop Nordic influence on European co- with Northwest Russia. The report operation as the is being expanded contains “The International Nordic from to Member States. The Nordic Region – Nordic Co-operation in a Euro- Region pressed for membership to
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION pean Framework”. This document was its Eastern European and Baltic neigh- adopted by the Ministers for Nordic Co- bours. When the is enlarged, new operation on September as guide- institutional forms and decision-making lines for the future collaboration of the processes will be unavoidable.” Nordic Council of Ministers with the “A joint Nordic regional approach surrounding world. Here are three quota- within the is not synonymous with a tions from the report: Nordic bloc policy, but indicates that the
12 intention is to co-operate at a European structures that can relieve the pressure on level as far as possible. Conversely the the ’s ‘own’ institutions and capacity. has both a political and an operational In this way Nordic co-operation will interest in efficient regional co-operation strengthen the Nordic Region in the .”
Synergy through Better Co-ordination
“Nordic advantage must be the basis for Enestam stressed that the entire Baltic all of our work in the adjacent areas. We Sea region is being strategically evaluated. need to co-ordinate efforts in order to use The Danish Minister for Nordic Co- resources as efficiently as possible,” said operation, Flemming Hansen, was also the Finnish Minister for Nordic Co-opera- concerned with the new Nordic direction tion, Jan Erik Enestam, during the debate during the European debate at the Nordic on co-operation with the adjacent areas Council Session at the end of October. at the Nordic Council Session in Oslo. “We have long been inward looking in He referred to the Council of Minis- the Nordic countries. We now need to ters’ report on the Nordic Region and turn the compass around and look at how Europe, and drew particular attention to international developments will affect the the forging of closer contacts between the Nordic Region,” said Flemming Hansen. Nordic Council of Ministers, the Council “The Nordic Region must continue to of the Baltic Sea States, the Barents Coun- be a growth region in Europe and a model cil and the Arctic Council. While the for others, but that will require prioritisa- Council of Ministers has an operating tion,” he pointed out. Minister Hansen budget, the other councils are financed sees progress towards closer co-operation through programmes or on a project by with the Baltic States – including from project basis. within the institutions of the Council of
Three Prime Ministers meet the press: Kjell Magne Bondevik, Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Göran Persson
13 Ministers – as a positive factor in the future The top priority for Iceland will be to development of Nordic co-operation. strengthen Nordic co-operation on the Norwegian Prime Minister, Kjell marine environment, sustainable develop- Magne Bondevik, was also engaged with ment and on the management of marine the new Europe during the Session, even resources in the neighbouring regions in though Norway, like Iceland, is not part of and around the North Atlantic. But Ice- the but is a member of the economic landic Prime Minister, Davi∂ Oddsson, co-operation through the . was also concerned with the Nordic Extended co-operation through the Region’s neighbours to the east: / is also of importance for future “Nordic co-operation with the Baltic Nordic co-operation. This involves a rein- States and Northwest Russia has been forcement of Nordic-Baltic collaboration. fruitful, and we must continue to take “We have many political tools today for great care of this region. Now that the the development of Nordic co-operation. Baltic States are joining the we must The Nordic contribution in the future take stock of this co-operation to ensure will also be significant with regard to the that it continues to be efficient in the development and enlargement of the ,” altered political climate.” said Kjell Magne Bondevik.
Stronger Northern Dimension
The enlargement of the to include As a partner in the Northern Dimen- Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will sion the Nordic Council of Ministers’ move its centre of gravity towards the ambition is to coordinate Nordic efforts in North. This will strengthen the Northern the adjacent areas with the work taking Dimension. The Nordic work in the adja- place within the . cent areas has been led by the responsible Once Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania join Councils of Ministers as part of their nor- the , the nature of the activities in these mal activities, but also through a separate countries will change towards more nor- Adjacent Areas Programme. The Council mal partnership. A large number of joint
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS of Ministers has information offices in Nordic-Baltic ministerial meetings were Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius and St Petersburg. held in . In new efforts were made to open The Council of Ministers has decided an office in Kaliningrad. The following to increase its efforts in Northwest Russia. activities in the Baltic States and North- An evaluation of the activities in the adja-
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION west Russia are worth noting: cent areas will take place in the first half • Development programmes in the of . The result will form the basis for public sector, for companies and for developing the future strategy for co-oper- specialists in e.g. energy. ation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania • An action plan for children and and with Northwest Russia. young people. • Cross-border co-operation.
14 Nordic-Baltic Dimension
Environmental issues and safety at sea, electorate would seize this historic oppor- the war on organised drug-related crime tunity to vote their countries into modern and on trafficking in women and children Europe. were the central themes of the joint meet- Giedr˙e Purvaneckien˙e did not believe ing of the Nordic Council and the Baltic that Baltic membership would jeopar- Assembly in Lund. Discussions at the dise co-operation with the Nordic Region. meeting included issues, the Northern She believed that since the Nordic coun- Dimension and co-operation in the Nordic- tries consult each other before meet- Baltic region as well as specific questions ings even though they are not all mem- on civil crisis management and conflict bers, there is no reason why a combina- resolution. tion of Baltic membership in the and Co-operation between the Nordic and institutionalised co-operation with the Baltic parliamentarians began in and Nordic Region should not be of mutual has gradually expanded since the inde- benefit. pendence of the Baltic States, the fall of In the long term, Purvaneckien˙e the Berlin Wall and the dismantling of the thought the Baltic States should be mem- communist dictatorships in the former bers of the Nordic Council, and believed Eastern European bloc. that a parliamentary body embracing Another theme was the protection of eight countries would make a greater the marine environment of the Baltic Sea. impact than one with five. This was brought about by the work in The President of the Nordic Council, progress to classify the Baltic Sea as a par- Inge Lønning, stressed after the meetings ticularly sensitive sea area (). that organised crime, the environment “The fact that parliamentarians from all and especially the new regional policies of the countries around the Baltic Sea in the discussed at the conference want to classify it as a particular sensitive are subjects of mutual interest for both sea area, and to ban single-hulled oil Nordic and Baltic politicians. tankers, represents a major breakthrough The fact that the issue of alleged cor- for marine safety,” said Outi Ojala, chair- ruption in Latvia was addressed from the person of the Presidium for the th Baltic floor shows that the new democracies are Sea Parliamentary Conference in Oulu in also beginning to exercise self-criticism. September. Inge Lønning thought this was a positive “The political process and practical co- sign. “It takes time to build democracy operation with the Nordic Council in the after decades of suppression but the open- run-up to Baltic membership are of ness of the discussion is encouraging,” great significance for our joint future in stated Lønning. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania,” stated the head of the Baltic Assembly, Giedr˙e Pur- vaneckien˙e, during the Lund conference. She underlined the importance of the referendums and hoped that the Baltic
15 Baltic States Join Nordic Investment Bank
At the Nordic and Baltic Prime Ministers’ begin. The plant will be completed within meeting at the Session in Oslo, the Baltic three years. States were officially invited to participate Waste water from almost one million in the Nordic Investment Bank (). people currently flows untreated into the is the joint international financial Gulf of Finland and negatively affects institution of the Nordic countries. water quality throughout the Baltic. It offers companies and organisations, The project also includes the construc- both in the private and the public sector, tion of a sludge incinerator. The invest- long term loans for environmental pur- ment will greatly reduce outflows of dirty poses, amongst other things. and polluted water into the Gulf of Fin- “This is a historic day,” said Estonian land and the Baltic Sea. Thus the project Prime Minister, Juhan Parts, at the subse- will have a significant ecological impact. quent press conference. He also officially accepted the invitation to participate in the bank. The two other Baltic States also expressed themselves positively on membership. is giving an environmental loan of million euros to the largest waste water treatment project in the Baltic. The con- struction of the south-west waste water treatment plant in St Petersburg can now
Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health
The Nordic Council of Ministers needs to action within the European framework. push the Northern Dimension in a pos- The experiences of the Council of Minis-
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS itive direction. The Nordic countries have ters from long-term work in the Baltic their own Adjacent Areas Programme States, especially with regard to environ- that could help produce results within the mental work and the exchange of know- Northern Dimension. how, could be of immense benefit. Funds The Council of Ministers released its from the Nordic budget could also be used AN OPEN NORDIC REGION contribution to the Northern Dimen- to implement projects within the North- sion Action Plan ‒ in March ern Dimension. with proposals for increased Nordic efforts A further step was taken when fifteen to implement the Northern Dimension states, including the Nordic countries, and to strengthen work in northern and eight international organisations, Europe. This submission should be seen inter alias the Nordic Council of Minis- as an expression of joint, regional, Nordic ters, decided to establish a Partnership
16 in Public Health and Social Wellbeing improve quality of life through the co- within the framework of the Northern ordination of efforts and increased co- Dimension. This Partnership aims to operation.
Focus on Baltic Sea Region
“The Nordic Region has demonstrated of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, and for- how co-operation can solve mutual prob- mer Swedish Prime Minister, Carl Bildt. lems. Now it is high time for the entire Bildt asserted that a more wholehearted Baltic Sea region to be integrated in a Nordic participation in the European inte- similar way,” said former Danish Foreign gration process would generate new Minister, Uffe Ellemann-Jensen, in a lec- opportunities for co-operation with the ture in the joint Nordic Embassy Complex Baltic States. This would create better in Berlin in September. This lecture was opportunities for affluence in the entire just one of a series organised by the five Nordic-Baltic region, he pointed out. Nordic embassies in Berlin together with The lectures were part of the Nordic the Nordic Council of Ministers. Other Council of Ministers’ international pro- speakers have been the former President gramme. Seminars in Northwest Russia
17 and in Poland also focused on the new opportunities in the Baltic Sea area. Helle Degn, the Baltic Council Commissioner for Democratic Development, was among the speakers at a seminar in Petrozavodsk, capital of the Russian Republic of Karelia, in May. She spoke of values such as social responsibility, human rights, openness, access to information, environmental considerations and food safety, which are seen as common to Northern Europe. These values should be emphasised in the expanded European family. Regional co-operation in the new Europe was the theme of three events held in Warsaw and Gdansk in November. At the seminar in Gdansk, the new oppor- tunities for collaboration and the Nordic efforts to renew the strategy for sustain- able development were discussed. “Regional co-operation can assist in said Svein Ludvigsen, the Norwegian Min- attaining sustainable development. It may ister for Nordic Co-operation and Minister create mutual respect and understanding of Fisheries. between people otherwise divided by physical, historical or religious barriers,”
Safety at Sea and the Environment
Nordic politicians and the various organi- expression of willingness to comply with sations in the Baltic region have made the conventions.
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS tremendous efforts to ensure that the “Now it is time to agree on safety for oil Baltic Sea environment is protected. With- transports in the Baltic Sea,” said Asmund out the agreement of the Russian govern- Kristoffersen, chairman of the Nordic ment, the International Maritime Organi- Council Environment and Natural sation can not classify the Baltic Sea as a Resources Committee at the Baltic Sea
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION particularly sensitive sea area. Parliamentary Conference. The Russian parliamentarians signed a “If we are not able to deal with the prob- declaration at the Baltic Sea Parliamentary lems of oil slips, how can we expect to Conference in Oulu in Finland in the solve the other serious problems we are autumn, but if this is not followed up facing, such as nuclear waste?” asked by action by the Russian government, the Asmund Kristoffersen. signatures are nothing more than an There are several causes of concern in
18 relation to the marine environment in the in pack ice conditions. Oil transport has Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea is like an inland been particularly in focus lately, but other sea, and it is fed by large amounts of fresh forms of transport must be carefully water. The less oxygen the sea water con- monitored too. Every day ships sail tains, the poorer the growth conditions through the Sound and more than , for fish and shellfish. Pollution killing the ships are on their way to or from a port in fish comes from algae growth, and the the Baltic at any given time. removal of algae naturally occurring in Proposals for improved safety at sea brackish water is not possible in an include the compulsory use of a pilot, instant. The problem is certainly not banning single-hull vessels in frozen seas solved by political resolutions – initiatives and better surveillance of all ships that produce tangible results are required. attempting to dump ballast water. The enormous volume of maritime The Nordic Ministers of the Environ- traffic through the Öresund Sound and in ment have led the way to have the Baltic the Baltic Sea worries politicians for sev- Sea classified as a particularly sensitive sea eral reasons. Some ships carry dangerous area. Furthermore, efforts have been cargoes, and the dumping of ballast water made to protect the environment in the in the Baltic Sea has become widespread. Barents Sea with regard to unregistered Single-hull vessels still transport heavy oils oil transport in the area.
Focus on West Nordic Region
In recognition of the fact that marine Arctic core competencies. The transport resources and environmental and climate infrastructure in the West Nordic Region issues are vitally important, the Nordic needs to be improved. Existing networks Council of Ministers launched a special can be exploited and central decision mak- programme for the West Nordic Region ers and the responsible traffic authorities in . Iceland continues to focus on this in the various countries will be approached area in its Presidency programme for to achieve this goal. A stronger co-ordina- , which has nature, culture, identity tion of efforts in cultural partnership is and democracy as its major themes. also needed in the region. Collaboration Focus on the West Nordic Region natu- between the different cultural Nordic rally attaches great importance to the Houses in the region should be extended question of resources and in particular to so that each individual Nordic House can the significance of marine resources to the take on a co-ordinating role. economy. In short, the Nordic countries Icelandic Minister of the Environment, will concentrate on surveying the North Siv Fri∂leifsdóttir, who chairs the Minis- Atlantic marine area to improve the eco- ters for Nordic Co-operation in : nomic benefit as well as the environment – Neighbouring policies also affect the as a whole. The countries will achieve this Northern Dimension which, in geo- objective through international involve- graphical terms, stretches all the way west ment at conferences and in research in to Greenland.
19 Freedom of Movement
Poul Schlüter Promotes Freedom of Movement
Freedom of movement across Nordic boundaries was high on the agenda of both the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers in . The Swedish government appointed the former Danish Prime Minister, Poul Schlüter, as its special envoy to apply political pressure in order to reduce the number of cross-border obstacles. The Nordic Council parliamentarians immediately welcomed this initiative. Referring to Poul Schlüter, Ole Stavad, who is chairman of the Danish Delegation to the Nordic Council and of the Council special working group on an “Open Nordic Region”, said: – Previous agreements have not been modernised and brought up to date. In some areas there are no agreements at all, and many people struggle with unneces- also consider him ‘our man’. He is good at
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS sary bureaucracy when they move within asking questions which may sound naive, the Nordic countries. We must maintain but are actually very pointed. I am certain and further develop Nordic co-operation, he will present proposals for specific whilst at the same time developing and improvements. However, there will also strengthening European co-operation. be areas in which he will need the aid of
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION Ole Stavad had the opportunity to dis- parliamentary pressure to remove cuss freedom of movement with Poul obstructions to freedom of movement. Schlüter during the joint Nordic-Baltic An example was when several Council meeting in Lund in April: members simultaneously posed a ques- – Even though he is working for the tion in their respective Nordic parliaments Council of Ministers, I told him that we about the high bank charges for transfer- parliamentarians on the Nordic Council ring money between the Nordic countries.
20 Nordic Region as a Single Market
During the course of Poul Schlüter toms procedures for commercial traffic, took part in several ministerial meetings inter-Nordic job procurement on the Inter- under the auspices of the Nordic Council net, a virtual Nordic taxation office as well of Ministers. Furthermore, he addressed as improved processing of prescriptions. a number of conferences arranged by The day before Schlüter presented his the Swedish Presidency of the Nordic interim report at the Nordic Council Council of Ministers on themes such as Session in Oslo, the Danes dropped their “The Nordic Region as a Single Market”. Danish language requirement for Swedish In a number of areas efforts to promote and Norwegian students applying to study freedom of movement have already borne medicine in Denmark. The matter had fruit, and some of the irritations experi- been the subject of debate amongst the enced by commuters and people moving parliamentarians of the Nordic Council, to another Nordic country have been and it was abandoned by the Danish eradicated. In other areas there is still a government just before the start of the need to put political pressure on the Session. responsible politicians and officials, so the efforts continue. Poul Schlüter’s interim report gives examples of solutions to difficulties, large and small, experienced in crossing Nordic boundaries. These cover simplified cus-
Cross-border Obstacles on the Session Agenda
A tax agreement benefiting the com- “If the Council of Ministers can not muters across the Öresund Sound was show some results of its work, this Coun- concluded by the Danish and Swedish cil Session could be the beginning of the Ministers of Taxation just as the Nordic end for Nordic co-operation,” he claimed. Council Session opened. “However, sev- The competitiveness of the Nordic eral barriers to cross-border freedom still countries is linked to free movement. The remain – for example, other tax issues, Federation of Nordic Associations believes unemployment benefit funds, and insur- that the credibility of Nordic co-operation ance and child benefit contributions,” rests on removing cross-border obstacles. said Kent Olsson from the Conservative A satisfied Swedish Minister for Nordic Group on the Nordic Council. Co-operation, Berit Andnor, stated that The importance of this issue was stated many obstacles had been torn down dur- right at the very start of the Session by the ing the year. Results are e.g. joint voca- President of the Norwegian Parliament, tional qualifications and the new Nordic Jørgen Kosmo. social convention.
21 Andnor reported furthermore that it fic. For example a Swede working with his will be easier to bring pets and prescrip- mechanical digger in Norway used to have tion drugs with you across Nordic borders. to pay a deposit of % of the value of the “Cross-border obstacles can be of differ- digger, which could be worth three mil- ing importance for different people. For lion – a huge sum for him to find. We have those directly affected, for example, the solved this problem by working with the matter of a national social security num- authorities involved and with industry.” ber is very important. The results we have Other issues which came up in the achieved through better communication debate were a Nordic taxation office, mean a great deal to many small busi- lower bank charges and shorter transfer nesses and especially to commercial traf- times for Nordic money transactions.
Positive Nordic Integration
“Results such as the tax agreement Council of Ministers has established a spe- between Denmark and Sweden are part cial Secretariat for Nordic Cross-Border of a positive circle as far as integration Mobility. This Secretariat co-ordinates between the Nordic countries is con- efforts between Poul Schlüter’s work, the cerned,” the Secretary General of the specific issues arising from the Nordic Nordic Council of Ministers, Per Unckel, information service Hello Norden, and said at a meeting in the Danish parliament the regional border committees. The Sec- in Copenhagen in November . retariat’s mandate is to render vigour, con- Per Unckel called for a vision of the tinuity and cohesion to the work of pro- development of the Nordic Region. moting freedom of movement. According to him the removal of barriers The information service Hello Norden to freedom of movement does not only is available in all the Nordic countries – affect individuals. In a greatly enlarged addresses and telephone numbers can be , greater mobility will make national found on www.hallonorden.org. Hello economies more competitive. Norden provides answers to questions Poul Schlüter will continue his work as regarding the formalities of moving from
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS special envoy for the Ministers of Nordic one Nordic country to another. These Co-operation in the first six months of questions concern e.g. education and train- during Iceland’s Presidency of the ing, commuting, taxation, health insur- Nordic Council of Ministers. The next ance, child benefits, and pensions. step will be to focus in particular on free-
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION dom of movement for business. The main task still is to find solutions to specific legal and bureaucratic barriers to individual mobility between the Nordic countries. To focus attention on the issues sur- rounding cross-border barriers, the Nordic
22 Nordic Culture on Tour
Nordic Design
A number of large projects characterised represent contemporary design from each Nordic cultural co-operation. Scandina- of the Nordic countries. vian Design beyond the Myth, a large Nordic The exhibition will tour several coun- exhibition, was opened in Berlin in tries after Berlin, opening in Milan, Ghent November by Swedish Minister of Cul- and Prague in . The tour continues ture, Marita Ulvskog, and German Federal to Budapest, Riga, Glasgow, Copenhagen Minister of Culture, Christina Weiss. and Gothenburg in followed by This exhibition commissioned by the Oslo, Reykjavík and Helsinki in . Nordic Council of Ministers is based on Nordic design co-operation and recent research. It is partly retrospective and debates the myths and stereotypes that have flourished around the topic Scandi- navian Design. In addition, the exhibits
Cultural Exchange with West Balkans
The Nordic Ministers of Culture have in Zagreb, the Museum for Contempo- launched a collaboration and exchange rary Art in Belgrade and Rooseum in project with the West Balkan region, Malmö. i.e. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, As part of the project Mika Hannula Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro. and Tere Vadén will publish a book, Rock The project entitled Speak Up! covers a the Boat, which discusses ethical questions wide range of contemporary art and vari- around the theme “Local–Global” and ous forms of culture but concentrates on how these issues are expressed in contem- contemporary art, modern dance, film, porary art. literature and music. Individuals and insti- tutions in both regions will continue to work together throughout . Several galleries take part in the project and arrange exhibitions, for example
23 Nordic Glass Art in St Petersburg
Reflections – in a New Nordic Light is a major exhibition of Nordic glass art, which opened in September in St Petersburg. The exhibition consists of works by young and established Nordic artists and was also shown in Petrozavodsk. All of the works were created in Per Steen Hebsgaard’s glass studio in Den- mark. The exhibition presents a broad range of Nordic artistic collaboration that has arisen in the long history of Hebs- gaard’s workshop. • THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AN OPEN NORDIC REGION
24 Nordic Region as Global Research Leader
White Paper on Research and Innovation
The Nordic Region can – and must – Today the Nordic countries spend about become a global leader in the field of billion Danish kroner of public funds research. If not, Nordic research will lose on national research, whereas a mere ground, in particular to the . million kroner are available in the Nordic This was the main conclusion of the budget, including the existing research White Paper “ – Nordic Research institutions. The author of the White and Innovation Area”. This paper is based Paper believes that there should be joint on a recommendation to review Nordic financing between Nordic and national research policies given by the Nordic budgets. Council in October . Professor Gus- The White Paper is being circulated for tav Björkstrand, Rector of Åbo Akademi comment among relevant organisations University in Finland, was appointed to and ministries, and a definitive proposal is take charge of the project. The White anticipated at the beginning of June . Paper produced a number of proposals: • A Nordic Research and Innovation Area () should be established. The Nordic Research Council should play an important role in the start-up phase. • A new advisory body (NoFIR) should be established by integrating both the Nordic Research Council and the Nordic Academy for Advanced Study. • There should be major investment in Nordic research institutes where young researchers can work together and thus create a critical mass in a strong and competitive research environment. • Nordic programmes for Centres of Excellence should be launched to make the research facilities more attractive and to create higher quality and greater Professor visibility. Gustav Björkstrand
25 Nordic Dimension in National Research Institutes
The Nordic Council of Ministers has land (Nifin) is transferred from the Minis- decided to re-organise the Nordic insti- ters of Education to the Ministers of tutions in the education, research and Culture. Finally, the Nordic Council for sectors. Scientific Information will be closed down In the future, some of the Nordic on July . A working group will be research institutions will be transferred to established to make proposals for the national level to give them a deeper root development of network collaboration in their research environments. This will for scientific information. apply to the Nordic Sami Institute, Scandi- In the future, co-operation in the field navian Institute of Maritime Law, Nordic of adult education will take place within a Institute for Theoretical Physics, Nordic Insti- Nordic network of the relevant organisa- tute of Asian Studies and the Nordic Vol- tions through a new programme, Nord- canological Institute. There are still deliber- plus Adult, which is administered by ations over some of these institutions on in Denmark. The Nordic Folk what the change of responsibility will Academy will close on 1 August . entail. Their Nordic profile will be main- These changes are made as a result of tained – thus the institutions will continue proposals presented by Dan Brändström to be Nordic programmes or Nordic cen- in “A Nordic Dimension in National tres with their own board of directors. Research Environments – Nordic research In addition, the Nordic Institute in Fin- institutes under national responsibility”.
Open Source Programmes from Nordicos
In August the Nordic Council of In small language areas such as the Ministers launched a joint Nordic website, Nordic countries open source pro- from which open source programmes may be grammes have an additional advantage. downloaded free of charge for both pri- As the users can make changes in the
• THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS vate and professional use. The basic idea source code themselves, the programmes of open sources is simple: when users can can freely be translated. Thus open source modify the source codes of a programme, codes become an important tool in retain- it can be improved by the users. ing language and national identity. The website www.nordicos.org has Running parallel with this, the Business
AN OPEN NORDIC REGION been developed by Consumer Information and Industry Committee of the Nordic in Denmark with the support of the other Council is working intensively on a com- Nordic countries. The intention is to mittee proposal aiming to create a Nordic make it easier for computer users to get centre of competence for using open an overview of which open source pro- sources. The subject has been thoroughly grammes can be recommended for down- discussed through hearings with , loading and installation. Microsoft and Nordicos.
26 New NordPlus Educational Programmes
The Nordic Council of Ministers’ educa- tional action programmes, NordPlus, have NordPlus Adult provides funding for co- been well-established in the education and operation and professional motivation in training sector for years. The objective of the field of adult education and lifelong NordPlus is to promote a spirit of fellow- learning. Funds can be granted for the ship in Nordic culture, language and val- development of new ideas, teaching ues; to develop knowledge, competency, methods, course models and the like for education and research; and to improve both teachers and participants. Impor- competitiveness of the Nordic countries tance is attached to the dissemination of and of the adjacent areas. project results. This programme is admin- As of January the NordPlus istered in Denmark. educational action programmes have been restructured to address these objectives. There are five new programmes reflecting NordPlus Language is a cross-sector pro- different target groups, regions and cul- gramme emphasising the importance of tures: continued political initiatives to promote the understanding of the Nordic languages. NordPlus Junior supports co-operation in primary and secondary education, whereby schools can apply for grants to support mobility of pupils and teachers in the Nordic countries. The activities must have an educational content, be rooted in school work and, for the pupils, take place via the Nordic Schoolnet www.nordskol. org. This programme is administered in Sweden.
NordPlus supports co-operation between universities and colleges in the Nordic countries, both within subject areas and across them. Universities and colleges can apply for grants for networks which create a foundation for a wholehearted Nordic educational fellowship in which each institution’s special competencies are utilised. This programme is administered in Finland.
27 The purpose is to ensure that Nordic co- adjacent areas of Estonia, Latvia, Lithua- operation be conducted in the Nordic nia and Northwest Russia. It focuses on languages in the future too. Grants can be education and the transfer of know-how. given to institutions, organisations, net- This programme addresses all areas of works and individuals who meet specific education from primary to higher educa- requirements. This programme is admin- tion, including adult education and volun- istered in Iceland. tary educational organisations. This pro- gramme is administered in Norway. The main objective of the NordPlus Neighbour programme is to develop cross-sector network co-operation between the Nordic countries and the • THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AN OPEN NORDIC REGION
28 Facts
Ministers for Nordic Co-operation The Ministers for Nordic Co-operation have overall responsibility for Nordic Co-operation. In each country a Minister for Nordic Co-operation is appointed by the government. In addition to his/her own ministry, the Minister has particular responsibility for the co-ordination of Nordic co-opera- tion.The Presidency of the Council of Ministers rotates annually.
Ministers for Nordic Co-operation as of October 2003: Berit Andnor Sweden Svein Ludvigsen Norway Jan-Erik Enestam Finland Lise Lennert Greenland Siv Fri∂leifsdóttir Iceland Høgni Hoydal Faroe Islands Flemming Hansen Denmark Olof Erland Åland Islands
Presidium of the Nordic Council as of January 2003: Inge Lønning President Norway Eero Akaan-Penttilä Conservative Group Finland Berit Brørby Social Democratic Group Norway Rannveig Gu∂mundsdóttir Social Democratic Group Iceland Anita Johansson Social Democratic Group Sweden Jens Christian Larsen Centre Group Denmark Ragnwi Marcelind Centre Group Sweden Outi Ojala Left-wing Socialist and Finland Green Group Ísólfur Gylfi Pálmason Centre Group Iceland Riitta Prusti Social Democratic Group Finland Jan Sahl Centre Group Norway Ole Stavad Social Democratic Group Denmark Sigrí∂ur A. ∏ór∂ardóttir Conservative Group Iceland
Rotating Presidencies The Presidencies of the two Councils rotate according the following roster:
Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Norway Finland Sweden Norway Iceland Sweden Denmark Iceland Finland Denmark
29 Nordic Council of Ministers Expenses Breakdown In 2003 the budget of the Nordic Council of Ministers was 811 million Danish kroner.
Main Areas Million DKK Percent Welfare, trade and industry 150 18 Environment, resources, adjacent areas 199 25 Secretariat, other joint activities 106 13 Education and training, research, IT 204 25 Culture 151 19
18 % 25 % Welfare, trade and industry
Environment, resources, adjacent areas
Secretariat, other joint activities 19 % 13 % Education and training, research, IT
Culture 25 %
Approximately 20 percent of the Nordic Council of Ministers’budget goes towards co-operation with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Northwest Russia.
Nordic Council Budget The Council budget of 2003 was 31 million Danish Kroner. This amount covers parliamentary co-operation. • THE NORDIC COUNCIL & COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AN OPEN NORDIC REGION
30 Structure of the Nordic Council
20 members 2 members 2 members 20 members 2 members 7 members 20 members 20 members Denmark Greenland Faroe Islands Finland Åland Islands Iceland Norway Sweden Folketing Eduskunta Alπingi Storting Riksdag in Danish delegation in Finnish deleg.
87 members Election Committee Nordic Council Control Committee Plenary Assembly
13 members Presidium
Culture and Education and Citizens’ and Consumer Environment and Natural Business and Industry Welfare Committee Training Committee Rights Committee Resources Committee Committee PARLAMENTARIANS
Copenhagen Mariehamn Conservative Group Nuuk Reykjavík Centre Group Council Secretariat Copenhagen National Delegation Party Group Secretariats Secretariats Tórshavn Oslo Social Democratic Group Helsinki Stockholm Left-wing Socialist and Green Group
Structure of the Nordic Council of Ministers
Denmark Greenland Faroe Islands Finland Åland Islands Iceland Norway Sweden Government Provincial Govt Provincial Govt Government Provincial Govt Government Government Government
Nordic Council of Ministers
Committees of Senior Officials
Secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers
Institutions and other Programmes, scholarships Committees and co-operation organs and projects working groups
31 Loss of a Great Nordic Politician
, . These were the reactions to the murder of Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh in September . She was an outstanding and hugely popular politician who will be sadly missed in the Nordic arena. Anna Lindh leaves a major void in the entire Nordic Region. She was strongly committed to Nordic and Barents co- operation. In she was chairperson of the Nordic Foreign Ministers as well as of Barents co-operation. As Foreign Minister from Anna Lindh took part in the Nordic Council Sessions. She was also deeply involved in the process leading up to the enlargement of the to amongst others the Baltic States and Poland. As Minister of the Environment she took the initiative to formulate a Nordic Strategy for Sustainable Development that was adopted by the Prime Ministers in the autumn of . This strategy has not only been the Nordic instrument for managing sustainable development but it has also aroused interest in other parts of the world. Anna Lindh will be remembered for her many political achieve- ments, and not least for her personality, radiant smile and relaxed manner which rubbed off on everyone around her. An Open Nordic Region
Looking back at the past year
in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers 2003