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Friday, 29.03.2024, 12:32
Common issues for common efforts: Nordic-Baltic cooperation
Photo: valitsus.ee |
Prime ministers of Finland,
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia meet every
autumn during the session of the Nordic Council, which is also known as
the Nordic summit. The eight countries
share the same values, strategic interests, and challenges. “The cooperation
between Nordic and Baltic countries is becoming increasingly common and practical, especially in
the fields of energy, transport, and information technology,” said Estonian PM,
Ratas.
The heads of government,
ministers, presidents, parliamentarians, official representatives and experts
from Nordic and Baltic countries have been cooperating since 1992. As regional
relations are tight, no independent organisation has been established for the
cooperation among the NB8; however, each year one of the country leads the
cooperation; in 2007, the NB8 cooperation is led by Norway.
Vital spheres of cooperation
Cooperation of Baltic and the Nordic countries (NB8) in various international associations is increasingly growing, both in the field of hybrid threats and cybersecurity. Cyber threats and attacks do not discriminate between state borders; hence, the need to be handled globally. “We need to ensure a faster and more extensive information exchange,” said Estonian Prime Minister M. Ratas. For example, Norway has recently decided to join NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn; currently are discussions for participation of other Nordic countries.
The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats has
recently begun operating in Helsinki. At the centre, the combination of
security threats is analysed, including the impact of disinformation on
democratic processes. NB8-group, as well as other European countries and the
USA, are founders of the centers of excellence.
At the meeting, the Estonian Prime
Minister Ratas gave an overview of the progress in the digital sphere. The EU leaders
have streamlined the developments of digital agenda: for example, the commitment
to the development of a 5G network in Tallinn and the Tallinn Declaration on e-Government. See: https://www.eu2017.ee/news/insights/tallinn-declaration-egovernment-ministerial-meeting-during-estonian-presidency.
The EU states can move forward
quickly, as national authorities, entrepreneurs and people trust the
digital developments thanks to the fact that the Union pays great attention to
cybersecurity.
The meeting’s participants also
emphasised the importance of signing the European Pillar of Social
Rights at the Social Summit in
Gothenburg, Sweden on 17 November. One of the most important EU tasks is
improving people’s welfare and protecting their rights and freedoms. Thus, the
unanimous endorsement of the Pillar of Social Rights would be of symbolic
significance.
The participants called upon
Nordic and Baltic governments to pay attention to the EU Eastern Partnership
issues. Security, economic growth, and well-being of Eastern Partners also
help ensure a stronger Europe; this is the reason to support these countries.
The EU needs joint activities that visibly and tangibly improve the everyday
lives of people there. “We expect courage, resolution, and ambition from all of
participants in the Eastern Partnership summit,
which took place in Brussels on 24 November 2017,” said Ratas.
References:
https://www.eu2017.ee/news/press-releases/meeting-nordic-and-baltic-heads-government-focused-challenges-modern-era
and http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/home/