Finland Times

 

Prime Minister Juha Sipila speaks during a meeting of the Nordic Council in Reykjavik on October 28, 2015. Participants of the Nordic Council's 67th session are expected to focus on the possibility for expanded and closer Nordic co-operation. Photo AFP-LEHTIKUVA.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä emphasised strengthening security in the Nordic region with the view to secure a robust North in a strong Europe.

 

Speaking at the 67th session of the Nordic Council in Reykjavik on Tuesday, he also termed the Nordic countries an ever stronger community.

 

“Our aim is to secure a robust North in a strong Europe. Together we can strengthen security in our own area and bring greater weight to promoting international security,” Sipilä said.  

 

He said Nordic cooperation is a cornerstone of Finland’s foreign policy and international cooperation.

 

“In today’s changing world and challenging environment, the Nordic countries are an ever stronger community,” he added. 

 

Finland will assume the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for the next year.

 

Finland’s concrete objectives during the presidency include dismantling of cross-border barriers, promotion of digitalisation and strengthening the weight of Nordic countries in the European Union.

 

“Free movement is an integral part of our Nordic identity and one of the strengths in the Nordic societies. By dismantling cross-border barriers, we foster, for example, labour mobility and job creation, encourage exchange of competence and fuel economic growth. Digitalisation offers many concrete opportunities that can be tapped into to strengthen the pioneering role of the Nordic countries,” said Sipilä.

 

The prime minister in his speech pointed out that the Nordic countries are one of the most innovative and competitive areas in the world.

 

“I have encouraged Finland and the Finnish people to engage in a bold and pioneering approach. Nordic cooperation needs a new leap too. We need to find new ways of thinking and new ways of doing things, so that there is better potential to develop the North both in terms of the domestic market and as a basis for international trade, investments and innovations. I have high expectations for developing Nordic cooperation,” he added.

 

Finland last held the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2011. The Nordic Council of Ministers is an intergovernmental body for cooperation between the Nordic countries. It aims to find inter-Nordic solutions that have a clearly positive impact on its citizens.