The Nordic Council
The parliaments and governments of the Nordic countries cooperate in the Nordic Council. The Council works in the same way as a national parliament – but at the Nordic level.
The Nordic Council was founded in 1952. It consists of 87 elected members from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland and the autonomous regions of the Faroe Islands, Åland and Greenland, as well as members from the governments of these countries and regions. As far as the Government is concerned, the official body for cooperation is the Nordic Council. It was formed in 1971.
The concept “Nordic value” is fundamental and means that the Nordic countries cooperate in matters where cooperation between the countries adds greater value than if they were to act individually. It is about improving citizens’ everyday lives, exchanging experience ahead of reforms in various areas of society, and gaining support for shared Nordic values in international contexts. Many issues are about border constraints, for example regulations that make it difficult for those who live in one Nordic country and work in another.
The Nordic Council also works with issues relating to foreign and security policies, primarily in the Baltic Sea region, the Arctic and the EU.
Takes initiatives and gives recommendations
The Nordic Council takes initiatives and gives recommendations on various issues to the governments in the Nordic countries. Many recommendations lead to concrete measures such as legislative amendments or new laws in the member states. The Council also monitors that the recommendations are implemented in accordance with their intentions.
The Presidium of the Nordic Council leads and coordinates activities. The Presidium and the committees prepare the items of business that members are to take a position on at the sessions of the Council. There are five committees in the Council:
- Committee for a Sustainable Nordic Region
- Committee for Knowledge and Culture in the Nordic Region
- Committee for Growth and Development in the Nordic Region
- Committee for Welfare in the Nordic Region
- Control Committee
- Election Committee
As a rule, two major meetings, sessions, are held per year. The Council can also, if necessary, decide to hold extraordinary sessions or theme conferences on topical themes for Nordic cooperation. Between the sessions, the Presidium of the Nordic Council is the highest decision-making body. There are five party groups in the Nordic Council:
- Social Democratic Group
- Centre Group
- Conservative Group
- Nordic Green Left
- Nordic Freedom
- The party-political distribution in the national parliaments is reflected in the composition of the Nordic Council.
The Swedish delegation
For each Riksdag session, the Riksdag elects 20 regular members and 20 deputy members to the Swedish delegation of the Nordic Council. The delegation elects a chair, a deputy chair and a working committee. Prior to the sessions, the Government appoints the ministers who are to participate. They are also part of the delegation, but lack voting rights. Every year, the delegation submits a report of its activities to the Riksdag. The report is considered by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and a debate is held in the Chamber.