Nordic affairs

On 24 February 2025 in Kyiv, the Presidents of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine and the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Norway and Sweden issued the following statement:

On 5 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will travel to Copenhagen for a meeting with Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

On 27–28 November, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted a summit at Harpsund together with the heads of government of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also took part and stayed for bilateral talks the following day. On the first day, the leaders issued a joint statement on security cooperation. At the end of the second day, Sweden and Poland signed a new strategic partnership.

Today, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is hosting a meeting at Harpsund with the Nordic and Baltic countries’ heads of government and Poland’s Prime Minister. The leaders have discussed transatlantic relations, security in the Baltic Sea region and long-term support to Ukraine. They also delivered a joint statement.

We, the Heads of Government of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Sweden met today in Harpsund, Sweden, at a pivotal time for our security. As a result of this Summit, all the leaders of the Nordic-Baltic countries and Poland, have agreed the following:

Culture is one of the foundations that connect the Nordic countries. An inclusive cultural scene in the Nordic region promotes democracy, diversity and quality of life. Nordic cultural cooperation therefore plays an important role in efforts to ensure a well-integrated and sustainable Nordic region – today and in the future.

In a joint statement, the Nordic and Baltic Ministers of Digitalisation emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation concerning underwater infrastructure for electronic communication.

On 27–28 November, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive heads of government from the Nordic and Baltic countries at a Summit at the Prime Minister's official summer home, 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.