Nordic affairs

On 27–28 November, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive heads of government from the Nordic and Baltic countries at a Summit at Harpsund. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will also attend.

Today, October 29, at a meeting in the cooperation format between the Nordic Ministers for Foreign Affairs (N5) there was an exchange of views with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian democratic forces in exile, on the situation in Belarus and on how best to support the Belarusian democratic movement.

When the Nordic Council holds its 76th Session in Reykjavik on 28–31 October, the focus will be on peace and security in the Arctic and Nordic regions.

On 21 October, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard and her Nordic colleagues will be joined by Germany’s foreign minister in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies complex in Berlin. The event will highlight the growing Nordic-German cooperation and shared ambition to promote a secure and sustainable future. Guests of honour include the Crown Princess and Prince Daniel, the German President, the King and Queen of Denmark, the Presidents of Finland and Iceland and Norway’s Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

On 16 October 2024, the Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visited Odesa, Ukraine. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine resulting in further loss of lives, injuries and widespread destruction. The needs are immense, especially within the energy sector, as Ukraine prepares for its third winter since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The Nordic-Baltic countries are united in their unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine. During the visit, a substantial Nordic-Baltic winter package was announced in response to Ukraine’s most pressing needs, including energy, social infrastructure and humanitarian support. The support aims to alleviate the suffering caused by Russia’s attacks by contributing to basic needs such as heating and clean water during the cold winter months.

On 15 October 2024, the Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers will travel to Moldova. The visit comes ahead of the concurrent presidential elections and referendum on Moldova’s future relations with the European Union on 20 October. The Nordic-Baltic ministers are showing support for Moldova’s reforms and resilience in the face of intensifying hybrid attacks, and will share their experiences of membership and close relations with the European Union.

September 29, 2024 – Iqaluit, Nunavut - Global Affairs Canada

On 18 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa will host a meeting of Nordic development cooperation ministers in Stockholm. The meeting is taking place within the framework of Sweden’s Presidency of N5 – the informal foreign and security cooperation format between the Nordic countries. The agenda includes support to Ukraine, links between migration and development assistance, support to free and fair elections, the global green transition and Nordic collaboration with the private sector on innovation.

The Nordic transport ministers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have gathered in Gothenburg on 14 August 2024 and discussed issues of common interest.

In 2024, Sweden is responsible for coordinating foreign and security cooperation of the Nordic countries (N5) and the Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8). In this role, Sweden has chosen to highlight three main priorities: strengthening security policy cooperation in the region, maintaining unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and securing continued global support for Ukraine.

A new Öresund Agreement that will make life easier for cross-border commuters, a joint declaration on competitiveness and security by Nordic heads of government, and consensus on how to raise the level of ambition in global environmental efforts. These are just a few examples of what has been achieved during the first six months of Sweden’s Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.

On 19–20 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström will host a meeting of the Nordic foreign ministers in Stockholm. The meeting will take place within the framework of Sweden’s Presidency of the N5 – Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy.

Friday 31 May, Prime Minster Ulf Kristersson hosted a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Stockholm. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson took part.

At the third Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Stockholm on 31 May, the Prime Ministers of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland and the Presidents of Ukraine and Finland issued the following statement:

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Stockholm today, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the heads of state and government of the other Nordic countries taking part.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Sweden to take part in a Nordic-Ukrainian Summit hosted by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

On Friday 31 May, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will host a Nordic summit with the President of Finland and the heads of government of Denmark, Norway and Iceland.

On 13 May, heads of government of the five Nordic countries and Germany’s Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in Stockholm within the framework of a Nordic summit.