Report on Future Nordic Co-operation to be Published in Finland
A joint report of the Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers concerning the new priorities of Nordic co-operation will be published at the Press and Culture Department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Kanavakatu 3 C, on Wednesday, 24 October 2001 at 11.45. The report by the name "New Nordic Agenda" will be presented by the present Chairman of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Mr Jan-Erik Enestam, and Mr Svend Erik Hovmand, President of the Nordic Council. The event can be followed live in RealAudio on these Internet pages (see below a link to RealAudio).
During the past decade, there has been much discussion about the need to reform and modernise Nordic co-operation. The present report, entitled “New Nordic Agenda”, is a proof of the fact that Nordic co-operation is indeed capable of transforming itself in the changing world.
According to the report five sectoral committees will be introuced to replace the present geographically based three committees in the Nordic Council. This means going back to the pre-1995 situation, when the committee structure was made on other than geographical grounds.
The report also examines the new priority areas of Nordic co-operation, which are technological development, welfare, the Nordic internal market, co-operation with the adjacent countries and areas and environmental issues and sustainable development.
"New Nordic Agenda" is based on the recommendations submitted a year ago by a group of experts, known as the Panel of the Wise. The report will be discussed in the Nordic Council’s session held in Copenhagen on 29-31 October of this year.
For further information about the press conference, please, contact Ms Marita Eerikäinen, MFA/Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation, tel. 1341 5560 or Mr Frank Edman, MFA/Press and Culture Department, tel. 1341 5812