Minister Lehtomäki: Nordic countries have common development policy goals

Press release 49/2007
22 March 2007

Even though there are differences in the financing of development cooperation between Finland and other Nordic countries, Nordic cooperation in the arena of development policy remains active, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paula Lehtomäki writes on the website www.norden2007.fi(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Nordic development cooperation is practiced in the EU, the UN, as well as in the development financing institutions. The development policy programmes of the Nordic governments have similar goals.

In 2005 all Nordic countries signed the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. Nordic development policy cooperation has been extended to a so-called Nordic Plus group, including, besides the Nordic countries, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Great Britain. The countries have drawn up a common implementation plan on the basis of the Paris Declaration.

Like other Nordic Countries, Finland is currently channelling an increasing share of development assistance through non-governmental organisations. More and more attention is being paid to the possibility to use budget and programme assistance.

Website www.norden2007.fi(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) acts as Finland's communications channel during the Finnish Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs answers for the maintenance of the website.

Additional information: Press Attaché for the Minister Pirjo-Liisa Heikkilä, tel. +358 (0)9 1605 5356