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First and foremost, the co-operation between the NCM and Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania should be a political co-operation that generates Nordic–Baltic benefit. All parties are welcome to propose initiatives, and the exchange of “best practice” can help to accomplish shared goals. The Nordic-Baltic co-operation should be focused and on an equal basis, and will be based on common values such as democracy, good governance, equality, freedom of speech and tolerance and allowing cultural co-operation, amongst other things, to serve as a link in Nordic–Baltic relationships. Focused Nordic–Baltic co-operation will help to promote a strong Baltic Sea Region (Top of Europe) that is attractive for citizens, companies, investors and labour. All of these areas will be profiled together, and together they can positively affect growth, welfare and competitiveness in the Region. The Nordic-Baltic co-operation will in parallel support the development of the EU’s Baltic Sea Strategy, which, amongst other, takes as its starting point the targets laid down in the Lisbon Process. At the same time, the co-operation will contribute to joint efforts to address the opportunities and challenges of globalization, based on the Nordic Prime Ministers’ press release from the meeting in Punkaharju in June 2007 and the Riksgränsen Declaration of April 2008. The Nordic-Baltic co-operation will complement the Nordic countries’ bilateral co-operation with the Baltic countries and will be implemented with a view to achieving synergies that are relevant to the work of other regional organizations, especially the Council of the Baltic Sea States and the EU/EEA, by serving as a platform for the potential co-ordination of views on matters of common interest. The Nordic-Baltic co-operation can contribute to positive social development in the Region, and contribute to co-operation that transcends the EU/EEA external borders by promoting cross-border regional co-operation – e.g. in collaboration with the EU and through the use of EU instruments. In addition, the co-operation can help to support the Northern Dimension, where initiatives involving Nordic, Baltic and Russian partners alike will be prioritized. |
New guidelines for Nordic-Baltic cooperation
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New guidelines for the Nordic Council of Ministers' co-operation with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania 2009–2013 were accepted at the Nordic Council session in Helsinki 27-29.10.2008. The guidelines reflect the wish for closer Nordic–Baltic co-operation in areas of common interest and the need for greater cohesion between the eight countries. The Nordic-Baltic co-operation is a multilateral co-operation between eight countries (the NB8), i.e. the Nordic countries, within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM), working with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. |