The cornerstone of unity

INTERNATIONAL 
27 NORDIC CO-OPERATION

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The history of Nordic co-operation dates back to the 19th century and the Pan-Scandinavian movement. When it 
began in the 1860s it was mostly cultural and intellectual but by the end of the century judicial and legislative 
cooperation had begun. 
At the beginning of the 20th century most organisations and movements forged Nordic relations and 
cooperation and after the First World War the Norden movement was created in association with all five Nordic 
countries. 
In the period between the World Wars co-operation was established and a neutral Nordic foreign policy was 
proclaimed. The modern form of Nordic co-operation was initiated after the Second World War despite the fact 
that the Nordic countries opted for different solutions with regards to security and defence politics. 
In 1952 the Nordic Council was established (although Finland was unable to join until 1955 due to the Soviet 
Union). During the 50s and 60s a passport union, common labour markets and a social treaty were created as a 
base for further integration. 
A typical feature of Nordic co-operation, which has spread to almost every area of society, is that big projects 
that require governmental agreement, such as the common defence union (in the 1940s) and economic union (in 
the 1960s) fail, while grass roots co-operation that include the authorities as well as civil society organisations 
and which involve political parties and practical solutions that will benefit common citizens, become success 
stories. 
During the 1960s and 70s the Nordic countries discussed a suggestion by the Finnish president Urho 
Kekkonen that the area would become a nuclear-free zone. Although this zone was never established it resulted 
in closer contact in the military field and a better understanding of each country’s position. 
At the beginning of the 70s, following the failure of Nordek, the official structures of Nordic co-operation were 
developed. Besides the parliamentarian Nordic Council a government-level Ministerial Council was established 
with a common secretariat. Ministers, as well as their government officials, began to meet regularly. At the same 
time the Nordic Investment bank was established. Already in the 1960s regional cooperation links were 
formalised and the Nordkalott co-operation began in northern parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland. 
During the time after the Cold War the Nordic countries put a lot of effort into assisting the newborn Baltic 
countries and establishing many links across the Baltic Sea. At the same time the politics concentrated on 
European integration and the new membership of Finland and Sweden in the EU. 
During the last decade Nordic co-operation has deepened again and is now dealing with questions related to 
globalization and security matters, but also classic inter- Nordic work which aims to abolish practical obstacles 
for citizens and firms. 
Larserik Häggman 
– Sectetary general of Pohjola Norden 1998–2011