This year’s annual Nordic council session takes place in the Finnish parliament in Helsinki.THE NORDIC COUNCIL (60 years old) session in Helsinki starts on Monday. The session is a large meeting place for large Nordic issues and where future Nordic politics take shape. In addition to Nordic Prime Ministers and opposition leaders, a little more than 100 parliamentarians from the five Nordic countries and the three self-administered regions Greenland, Åland and the Faeroe Islands, get together to discuss joint Nordic issues. Around 100 invited guests from the Nordic area and other countries will also attend.
ON THE AGENDA this year is the Nordic welfare model and challenges facing the region. Which investments are required to sustain the Nordic welfare and strong international competitiveness? Nordic politicians will also discuss the financial crisis and what joint measures to take.
IN ADDITION TO the main theme, there will be discussions about Nordic investments in a joint transportation policy.
NEXT YEAR, the Nordic council will take place in Iceland, next chairmanship country. In 2009, globalisation, climate and Nordic cohesion will be focused.
THIS YEAR’S SESSION in Helsinki starts Monday, October 27 and will go on until Wednesday, October 29.
Emelie Ring