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{{Short description|Body for cooperation of Nordic countries}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}

{{Infobox geopolitical organization
| native_name            = {{collapsible list
  |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;font-size:90%;
  |title = {{big|Nordic Council}}
  |liststyle = text-align:center;font-size:90%;
  | {{native name|da|Nordisk Råd}}
  | {{native name|fo|Norðurlandaráðið}}
  | {{native name|fi|Pohjoismaiden neuvosto}}
  | {{native name|is|Norðurlandaráð}}
  | {{native name|smn|Tave-enâmij rääđi}}
  | {{native name|kl|Nunat Avannarliit Siunnersuisoqatigiit}}
  | {{native name|smj|Nuorttarijkaj ráde}}
  | {{native name|se|Davviriikkaid ráđđi}}
  | {{native name|no|Nordisk råd}}
  | {{native name|sje|Nuarrtarijkaj rárre}}
  | {{native name|sms|Tâʹvvjânnmi suåvtõs}}
  | {{native name|sma|Noerhtelaanti raerie}}
  | {{native name|sv|Nordiska rådet}}
  }}
| linking_name           = the Nordic Council
| image_flag             = Flag of the Nordic Council 2016.svg
| alt_flag               = Stylised circular motif of a white swan on a blue background
| image_map              = Location Nordic Council.svg
| map_caption            = Member states shown in dark blue; and regions of member states shown in light blue.
| image_map2             = Nordic Council.svg
| org_type               = [[Inter-parliamentary institution]]
| membership             = '''5 sovereign states'''<br />{{ublist|{{flag|Denmark}}|{{flag|Finland}}|{{flag|Iceland}}|{{flag|Norway}}|{{flag|Sweden}}}}
----
'''2 autonomous territories'''<br />
{{ublist|{{flag|Faroe Islands}}|{{flag|Greenland}}}}
----
'''1 autonomous region'''<br />
{{ublist|{{flag|Åland}}}}
| admin_center_type      = Secretariat Headquarters
| admin_center           = {{nowrap|{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Copenhagen]]}}
| largest_settlement     = 
| largest_settlement_type = cities
| languages_type         = Official languages
| languages              = {{ublist | [[Danish language|Danish]] | [[Finnish language|Finnish]] | [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]] | [[norwegian language|Norwegian]] | [[swedish language|Swedish]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-languages|title=The Nordic languages &#124; Nordic cooperation|website=www.norden.org|access-date=4 February 2020|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905004439/https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-languages|url-status=live}}</ref>
| leader_title1          = [[Secretary-General of the Nordic Council|Secretary-General]]
| leader_name1           = {{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} [[Kristina Háfoss]] (2021–)
| leader_title2          = President
| leader_name2           = {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Jorodd Asphjell]] (2023)<ref name="presidency2023">{{Cite web |url=https://www.norden.org/en/news/jorodd-asphjell-new-president-nordic-council |title=information about the 2023 presidency on the council website |access-date=4 February 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204092105/https://www.norden.org/en/news/jorodd-asphjell-new-president-nordic-council |url-status=live }}</ref>
| leader_title3          = Vice-President
| leader_name3           = {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Helge Orten]] (2023) <ref name="presidency2023"/>
| established_event1     = Inauguration of the Nordic Council
| established_date1      = 12 February 1953
| established_event2     = [[Helsinki Treaty]]
| established_date2      = 1 July 1962
| established_event3     = Inauguration of the [[Nordic Council of Ministers]]
| established_date3      = July 1971
| area_km2               = {{round|6187064|-3}}
| population_estimate    = 28.3 million
| population_estimate_year = 2025
| population_density_km2 = 4.4
| GDP_PPP                = US$2.2 trillion
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = US${{round|79100|-2}}
| GDP_nominal            = US$1.8 trillion
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = US${{round|66300|-2}}
| Gini_year              = 
| Gini_change            = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini                   = <!--number only-->
| Gini_ref               = 
| HDI_year               = 
| HDI_change             = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = 
| currency               = {{ublist
  | {{flagicon|Denmark}} {{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} {{flagicon|Greenland}} [[Danish krone]]
  | {{flagicon|Finland}} {{flagicon|Åland}} [[Euro]]
  | {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Swedish krona]]
  | {{flagicon|Iceland}} [[Icelandic króna]]
  | {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norwegian krone]]
}}
| official_website       = {{official URL}}
| demonym                = 
| area_rank              = 
| today                  = 
}}

{{Scandinavia}}

[[File:Nordiska Radet session i Helsingfors 29.10.2012 (4).jpg|thumb|Nordic Council session in Helsinki, Finland (October 2012)]]
[[File:Flag of the Nordic Council.svg|thumb|Flag before 2016]]

The '''Nordic Council''' is the official body for formal [[inter-parliamentary institution|inter-parliamentary]] Nordic cooperation among the [[Nordic countries]]. Formed in 1952, it has 87 representatives from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden as well as from the autonomous areas of the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Greenland]], and [[Åland]]. The representatives are members of parliament in their respective countries or areas and are elected by those parliaments. The Council holds ordinary sessions each year in October/November and usually one extra session per year with a specific theme.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council|title=The Nordic Council|website=Nordic cooperation|access-date=23 August 2019|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706214537/https://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council|url-status=live}}</ref> The council's official languages are [[Danish Language|Danish]], [[Finnish Language|Finnish]], [[Icelandic Language|Icelandic]], [[Norwegian Language|Norwegian]], and [[Swedish Language|Swedish]], though it uses only the mutually intelligible [[Scandinavian languages]]—Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish—as its [[working language]]s.<ref name="languages">{{Cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-languages|title=The Nordic languages|website=Nordic cooperation|access-date=4 February 2020|archive-date=5 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905004439/https://www.norden.org/en/information/nordic-languages|url-status=live}}</ref> These three comprise the first language of around 80% of the region's population and are learned as a second or foreign language by the remaining 20%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.norden.org/en/fakta-om-norden-1/language|title=Language|date=6 August 2008|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705052009/http://www.norden.org/en/fakta-om-norden-1/language|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1971, the [[Nordic Council of Ministers]], an [[intergovernmental organisation|intergovernmental]] forum, was established to complement the council. The Council and the Council of Ministers are involved in various forms of cooperation with neighbouring areas in [[Northern Europe]], including the [[States of Germany|German state]] of [[Schleswig-Holstein]], the [[Benelux]] countries and the [[Baltic states]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.err.ee/603573/ratas-meets-with-benelux-nordic-baltic-leaders-in-the-hague|title=Ratas meets with Benelux, Nordic, Baltic leaders in the Hague|last=ERR|date=22 June 2017|work=ERR|access-date=1 June 2018|language=en|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726132513/https://news.err.ee/603573/ratas-meets-with-benelux-nordic-baltic-leaders-in-the-hague|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tobias Etzold 2015">Tobias Etzold, "Nordic Institutionalized Cooperation in a Larger Regional Setting," in Johan Strang (ed.), ''Nordic Cooperation: A European Region in Transition'', pp. 148ff, Routledge, 2015, {{ISBN|9781317626954}}</ref><ref name="Offices outside the Nordic Region">[http://www.norden.org/en/om-samarbejdet-1/organisations-and-institutions/offices-outside-the-nordic-region Offices outside the Nordic Region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817022915/http://www.norden.org/en/om-samarbejdet-1/organisations-and-institutions/offices-outside-the-nordic-region |date=17 August 2018 }}. Nordic Council of Ministers.</ref>

== History ==
During World War II, Denmark and Norway were occupied by Germany; Finland was [[Winter War|under assault]] by the [[Soviet Union]]; while Sweden, though neutral, still felt the war's effects. Following the war, the [[Nordic countries]] pursued the idea of a [[Scandinavian defence union]] to ensure their mutual defence. However, Finland, due to its [[Paasikivi–Kekkonen doctrine|Paasikivi–Kekkonen policy of neutrality]] and [[Finno-Soviet Treaty of 1948|FCMA treaty]] with the USSR, could not participate.

It was proposed that the Nordic countries would unify their foreign policy and defence, remain neutral in the event of a conflict and not ally with [[NATO]], which some were planning at the time. The United States, keen on getting access to bases in [[Scandinavia]] and believing the Nordic countries incapable of defending themselves, stated it would not ensure military support for Scandinavia if they did not join NATO. As Denmark and Norway sought US aid for their post-war reconstruction, the project collapsed, with Denmark, Norway and Iceland joining NATO as founding members.<ref>[http://www.ena.lu/plan_scandinavian_defence_union-2-6834 The plan for a Scandinavian Defence Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601073514/https://www.cvce.eu/ |date=1 June 2019 }}, [[European Navigator]]. Étienne Deschamps. Translated by the CVCE.</ref> Finland and Sweden joined NATO in 2023 and 2024, respectively, following the 2022 [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].

Further Nordic co-operation, such as an economic customs union, also failed. This led [[Danish Prime Minister]] [[Hans Hedtoft]] to propose, on 13 August 1951, a consultative interparliamentary body. This proposal was agreed by Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden during a meeting in [[Copenhagen]] on 15–16 March 1952.<ref name="H1">[http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/the-history-of-the-nordic-council/before-1952 Before 1952] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330201905/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/the-history-of-the-nordic-council/before-1952 |date=30 March 2014 }}, Nordic Council</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/news/70-years-nordic-council-still-delivering-nordic-synergies|title=70 years of the Nordic Council|publisher=Nordic Council|language=English|date=11 March 2022|accessdate=28 December 2022|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228213145/https://www.norden.org/en/news/70-years-nordic-council-still-delivering-nordic-synergies|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/information/history-nordic-council|title=The history of the Nordic Council|publisher=Nordic Council|language=English|accessdate=28 December 2022|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228213149/https://www.norden.org/en/information/history-nordic-council|url-status=live}}</ref> The council's first session was held in the Danish Parliament on 13 February 1953 and it elected Hans Hedtoft as its president. When Finnish-Soviet relations thawed following the death of [[Joseph Stalin]], Finland joined the council in 1955, following a voting in the Parliament of Finland on 28 October that year, effective from 23 December the same year.<ref name="H2">[http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/the-history-of-the-nordic-council/1953-1971 1953–1971 Finland joins in and the first Nordic rights are formulated.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330201909/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/the-history-of-the-nordic-council/1953-1971 |date=30 March 2014 }}, Nordic Council</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://svjt.se/svjt/1956/601|title=Finlands lagstiftning 1955|publisher=Svensk juristtidning|author=Curt Olsson|language=Swedish|date=1956|accessdate=28 December 2022|archive-date=28 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228213151/https://svjt.se/svjt/1956/601|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 July 1954, the Nordic labour market was created and in 1958, building upon a 1952 passport-free travel area, the [[Nordic Passport Union]] was created. These two measures helped ensure Nordic citizens' free movement around the area. A Nordic Convention on Social Security was implemented in 1955. There were also plans for a [[single market]] but they were abandoned in 1959 shortly before Denmark, Norway, and Sweden joined the [[European Free Trade Area]] (EFTA). Finland became an associated member of EFTA in 1961 and Denmark and Norway applied to join the [[European Economic Community]] (EEC).<ref name="H2"/>

This move towards the EEC led to desire for a formal Nordic treaty. The [[Helsinki Treaty]] outlined the workings of the council and came into force on 24 March 1962. Further advancements on Nordic cooperation were made in the following years: a Nordic School of Public Health, a Nordic Cultural Fund, and Nordic House in [[Reykjavík]] were created. Danish Prime Minister [[Hilmar Baunsgaard]] proposed full economic cooperation ("[[Nordek]]") in 1968. Nordek was agreed in 1970, but Finland then backtracked, stating that its ties with the Soviet Union meant it could not form close economic ties with potential members of the EEC (Denmark and Norway).<ref name="H2"/> Nordek was then abandoned.

As a consequence, Denmark and Norway applied to join the EEC and the Nordic Council of Ministers was set up in 1971 to ensure continued Nordic cooperation.<ref name="HM1">[http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers/history-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers/the-period-up-to-1971 The period up to 1971] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120111240/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers/history-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers/the-period-up-to-1971 |date=20 November 2011 }}, Nordic Council of Ministers</ref> In 1970 representatives of the [[Faroe Islands]] and [[Åland]] were allowed to take part in the Nordic Council as part of the Danish and Finnish delegations.<ref name="H2"/> Norway turned down EEC membership in 1972 while Denmark acted as a bridge builder between the EEC and the Nordics.<ref name="HM2">[http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers/history-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers/197220131989 1972–1989] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120111152/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers/history-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers/197220131989 |date=20 November 2011 }}, Nordic Council of Ministers</ref> Also in 1973, although it did not opt for full membership of the EEC, Finland negotiated a free trade treaty with the EEC that in practice removed customs duties from 1977 on, although there were transition periods up to 1985 for some products. Sweden did not apply due to its non-alliance policy, which was aimed at preserving neutrality. Greenland subsequently left the EEC and has since sought a more active role in [[Arctic cooperation and politics|circumpolar]] affairs.

In the 1970s, the Nordic Council founded the [[Nordic Industrial Fund]], Nordtest and the [[Nordic Investment Bank]]. The council's remit was also expanded to include environmental protection and, in order to clean up the pollution in the [[Baltic Sea]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean|North Atlantic]], a joint energy network was established. The Nordic Science Policy Council was set up in 1983<ref name="HM2"/> and, in 1984, representatives from Greenland were allowed to join the Danish delegation.<ref name="H2"/>

Following the [[collapse of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, the Nordic Council began to cooperate more with the [[Baltic states]] and new Baltic Sea organisations. Sweden and Finland joined the [[European Union]] (EU), the EEC's successor, in 1995. Norway had also applied, but once again voted against membership.<ref name="HM3">[http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers/history-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers/after-1989 After 1989] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111120103903/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers/history-of-the-nordic-council-of-ministers/after-1989 |date=20 November 2011 }}, Nordic Council of Ministers</ref> However, Norway and Iceland did join the [[European Economic Area]] (EEA) which integrated them economically with the EU. The [[Nordic Passport Union]] was also subsumed into the EU's [[Schengen Area]] in 1996.

The Nordic Council became more outward-looking, to the [[Arctic]], Baltic, Europe, and Canada. The [[Øresund Bridge]] linking Sweden and Denmark led to a large amount of cross-border travel, which in turn led to further efforts to reduce barriers.<ref name="HM3"/> However, the initially envisioned tasks and functions of the Nordic Council have become partially dormant due to the significant overlap with the EU and EEA. In 2008 Iceland began [[Accession of Iceland to the European Union|EU membership talks]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/11/03/further-icelandic-support-for-eu-membership/#more-4118 |title=Further Icelandic support for EU membership &#124; IceNews – Daily News |publisher=Icenews.is |date=3 November 2008 |access-date=11 July 2009 |archive-date=14 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214105108/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2008/11/03/further-icelandic-support-for-eu-membership/#more-4118 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but decided to annul these in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/iceland-drops-european-union-membership-bid |title=Iceland drops EU membership bid: 'interests better served outside' union |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 March 2015 |access-date=6 September 2016 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211446/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/iceland-drops-european-union-membership-bid |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike the [[Benelux]], there is no explicit provision in the [[Treaty on European Union]] that takes into account Nordic co-operation. However, the Treaties provide that international agreements concluded by the Member States before they become members of the Union remain valid, even if they are contrary to the provisions of Union law. However, each Member State must take all necessary measures to eliminate any discrepancies as quickly as possible. Nordic co-operation can therefore in practice only be designed to the extent that it complies with Union law.<ref>[http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:945898/FULLTEXT02.pdf Rapport över ändringar i de nordiska avtalen efter 1 januari 1995, i synnerhet ur ett EU-rättsligt perspektiv] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704100130/http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:945898/FULLTEXT02.pdf |date=4 July 2021 }} Norden</ref>

== Organisation ==
=== Council ===
The Nordic Council consists of 87 representatives, elected from its members' parliaments and reflecting the relative representation of the political parties in those parliaments. It holds its main session in the autumn, while a so-called "theme session" is arranged in the spring. Each of the national delegations has its own secretariat in the national parliament. The autonomous territories{{spaced ndash}}Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland{{spaced ndash}}also have Nordic secretariats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/about-the-nordic-council|title=About the Nordic Council|access-date=8 November 2010|archive-date=24 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024051850/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council/the-nordic-council/about-the-nordic-council/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Council does not have any formal power on its own, but each government has to implement any decisions through its national legislature. With all countries being members of NATO, the Nordic Council has not been involved in any military cooperation.

===Council of Ministers===
{{Main|Nordic Council of Ministers}}
The original Nordic Council concentrates on inter-parliamentary cooperation. The ''Nordic Council of Ministers'', founded in 1971, is responsible for intergovernmental cooperation. Prime Ministers have ultimate responsibility but this is usually delegated to the Minister for Nordic Cooperation and the Nordic Committee for Co-operation, which coordinates the day-to-day work. The autonomous territories have the same representation as states.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers|title=The Nordic Council of Ministers|access-date=8 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930222646/http://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-of-ministers/the-nordic-council-of-ministers|archive-date=30 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Nordic Council of Ministers has offices in the Baltic countries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nordic Council of Ministers' Baltic offices {{!}} Nordic cooperation|url=https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/nordic-council-ministers-baltic-offices|website=www.norden.org|access-date=15 May 2020|archive-date=21 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821183642/https://www.norden.org/en/organisation/nordic-council-ministers-baltic-offices|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Secretary General ===
*[[Secretary-General of the Nordic Council]]

=== Languages ===
The Nordic Council uses the three Continental [[Scandinavian languages]] (Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish) as its official working languages, while interpretation and translation service is arranged for Finnish and Icelandic (but never between the Scandinavian languages).<ref name="languages" /> The council also publishes material in English for information purposes. The Council refers to Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish collectively as Scandinavian and considers them to be different forms of the same language forming a common language community.<ref name="Norden">{{cite web |url=http://www.norden.org/ |title=Norden |date=11 September 2009 |access-date=4 March 2002 |archive-date=12 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012173529/http://www.norden.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Since 1987, under the [[Nordic Language Convention]], citizens of the Nordic countries have the opportunity to use their native language when interacting with official bodies in other Nordic countries without being liable to any interpretation or translation costs. The Convention covers visits to hospitals, job centres, the police, and social security offices. The languages included are Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and Swedish.<ref>[http://www.norden.org/webb/news/news.asp?id=6795&lang=6] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428022430/http://www.norden.org/webb/news/news.asp?id=6795&lang=6|date=28 April 2009}}</ref>

On 31 October 2018, the council established it has five official languages, giving Finnish and Icelandic equal status with Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish from 1 January 2020 onward. While the working languages of the council's secretariat remain the three Scandinavian languages, the Council emphasised that the secretariat must include personnel with comprehensive understanding of Finnish and Icelandic as well. The then-President of the Council [[Michael Tetzschner]] thought the compromise good but also expressed concern over the change's expenses and hoped they would not increase so much that there would be pressure to switch over to using English.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.norden.org/sv/news/starkt-position-finskan-och-islandskan-i-nordiska-radet|title=Stärkt position för finskan och isländskan i Nordiska rådet|date=31 October 2018|access-date=4 February 2020|language=sv|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102200403/https://www.norden.org/sv/news/starkt-position-finskan-och-islandskan-i-nordiska-radet|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.norden.org/fi/uutinen/suomen-ja-islannin-kielen-asema-vahvistuu-pohjoismaiden-neuvostossa|title=Suomen ja islannin kielen asema vahvistuu Pohjoismaiden neuvostossa|date=31 October 2018|access-date=4 February 2020|language=fi|archive-date=9 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409201034/https://www.norden.org/fi/uutinen/suomen-ja-islannin-kielen-asema-vahvistuu-pohjoismaiden-neuvostossa|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Work==
===Language understanding===

The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers have a particular focus on strengthening the Nordic language community; the main focus of their work to promote language understanding in the Nordic countries is on children and young people's understanding of written and oral Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, the three mutually intelligible [[Scandinavian languages]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/language|title=Language|website=Nordic co-operation|access-date=4 February 2020|archive-date=4 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204154204/https://www.norden.org/en/language|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Location ==
[[File:Norden Copenhagen.JPG|thumb|Nordic Council headquarters in Copenhagen. White building with Norden sign and flag at street Ved Stranden No. 18.]]
The Nordic Council and the Council of Ministers have their headquarters in [[Copenhagen]] and various installations in each separate country, as well as many offices in neighbouring countries. The headquarters are located at [[Ved Stranden]] No. 18, close to [[Slotsholmen]].

== Members ==
<!-- Do NOT add alleged "observers" to this section. First of all, this is a section on MEMBERS, not observers, which are two different things. Cooperation with the Baltic states belongs in the next section on such cooperation. Secondly, it has been established that the Nordic Council has no official observer status (Talk:Nordic countries). As sessions are open to the public, anyone may be present and "observe" the proceedings, but that doesn't make them "observer members" in a formal sense, like at the UN, where observer status gives many formal rights. As this article already discusses, observer status for the Baltic states was explicitly rejected, and there is no evidence presented that the council has made any other decision in this matter since (more on this on Talk:Nordic countries, where the matter was debated to death) -->

=== List of members ===

The Nordic Council has five full members (which are sovereign states) and three associate members (which are self-governing regions of full member states).

{| class=wikitable
! rowspan=2 |Member name
! colspan=2 |Symbols
! rowspan=2 |Parliament
! rowspan=2 |Member&shy;ship
! rowspan=2 |Member&shy;ship status
! rowspan=2 |Members
! rowspan=2 |Repre&shy;sented since
! rowspan=2 |EFTA/EU/EEA relation
|-
! Arms !! Flag
|-
! [[Finland]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Finland|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Finland}}
| [[Parliament of Finland|Eduskunta (Riksdagen)]]
| rowspan=5 |full
| rowspan=5 |sovereign state
| rowspan=4 |20 (each) || 1955
| rowspan=3 |{{flagicon|EUR}} EU member<br />[[European Economic Area|EEA member]]
|-
! [[Sweden]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Sweden|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Sweden}} || [[Riksdag]]
| rowspan=4 | 1952
|-
! [[Denmark]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Denmark|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Denmark}} || [[Folketing]]
|-
! [[Norway]]
| style="text-align:center" | {{Coat of arms|Norway|text=none}}
| style="text-align:center" | {{Flag icon|Norway}}
| [[Storting]]
| rowspan=2 | [[File:EFTA logo.svg|23px|link=European Free Trade Association]] [[European Free Trade Association|EFTA]] founding member<br />EEA member
|-
! [[Iceland]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Iceland|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Iceland}} || [[Alþingi]] || 7
|-
! [[Greenland]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Greenland|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Greenland}} || [[Parliament of Greenland|Inatsisartut]]
| rowspan=3 |associate
| rowspan=2 |self-governing regions of Denmark
| rowspan=2 |2 (each) out of Denmark's 20 || 1984
| [[Greenland–European Union relations|OCT]]
|-
! [[Faroe Islands]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Faroe Islands|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Faroe Islands}} || [[Løgting]]
| rowspan=2 | 1970 || [[Faroe Islands and the European Union|minimal]]
|-
! [[Åland]]
| style=text-align:center| {{Coat of arms|Åland|text=none}}
| style=text-align:center| {{Flag icon|Åland}} || [[Parliament of Åland|Lagting]]
| self-governing region of Finland || 2 out of Finland's 20
| {{flagicon|EUR}} EU territory
|}

=== List of representatives ===
{{as of|2021|12}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=Members of the Nordic Council {{!}} Nordic cooperation|url=https://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-members|access-date=30 December 2021|website=www.norden.org|archive-date=10 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110174854/https://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-members|url-status=live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Delegation !!colspan=2 |Group !!Name !!Committee(s)
|-
|{{flag|Åland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}"|
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Anders|Eriksson|Anders Eriksson (politician)}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}"|
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Anders|Kronborg}} ||Control, Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}"|
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Angelika|Bengtsson}} ||Election
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}"|
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Anna|Kolbrún Árnadóttir}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}"|
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Anna-Kaisa|Ikonen}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}"|
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Arman|Teimouri}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}"|
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]] ||{{sortname|Aron|Emilsson}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}"|
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]] ||{{sortname|Bente Stein|Mathisen}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}"|
|[[Centre Group|Centre]] ||{{sortname|Bertel|Haarder}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Åland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Camilla|Gunell}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Cecilie|Tenfjord Toftby}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|[[Christian Juhl (politician)|Christian Juhl]] ||Presidium, Election
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Daniel|Riazat}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Faroe Islands}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Edmund|Joensen}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Emilia|Töyrä}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Erkki|Tuomioja}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
|''Unaffiliated''
|{{sortname|Erlend|Wiborg}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Erling|Bonnesen}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Eva|Lindh}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Eveliina|Heinäluoma}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Freddy André|Øvstegård}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|[[Gunilla Carlsson i Hisings Backa|Gunilla Carlsson]] ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Hans|Wallmark}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Heidi|Greni}} ||Presidium, Election
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Heidi|Viljanen}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
|''Unaffiliated''
|{{sortname|Helge André|Njåstad}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Heli|Järvinen}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Henrik|Møller|dab=politician}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Faroe Islands}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Høgni|Hoydal}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Ilmari|Nurminen}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Inga|Sæland}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Ingalill|Olsen}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Faroe Islands}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Jaspur|Langgaard}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Joakim|Strand}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Jorodd|Asphjell}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Jouni|Ovaska}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Juhana|Vartiainen}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Kaisa|Juuso}} ||Control, Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Karin|Gaardsted}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Kasper|Roug}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Ketil|Kjenseth}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Greenland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Kim|Kielsen}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Kjell-Arne|Ottosson}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Kolbeinn|Óttarsson Proppé}} ||Control
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Lars Mejern|Larsson}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Linda|Modig}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Liselott|Blixt}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Lorena|Delgado Varas}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Lulu|Ranne}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Magnus|Ek}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Maria|Stockhaus}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Marianne Synnes|Emblemsvåg}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Martin|Kolberg}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Mette Hjermind|Dencker}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Michael|Tetzschner}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Mikko|Kärnä}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Mikko|Kinnunen}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Nils Aage|Jegstad}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Nina|Sandberg}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Norunn Tveiten|Benestad}} ||Knowledge and Culture, Election
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Oddný G.|Harðardóttir}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Ole André|Myhrvold}} ||Control, Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Orla|Hav}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Outi|Alanko-Kahiluoto}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Pål|Jonson}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Per-Arne|Håkansson}} ||Control, Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
|''Unaffiliated''
|{{sortname|Peter Seier|Christensen}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Pyry|Niemi}} ||Election
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Rasmus|Jarlov}} ||Knowledge and Culture, Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Rasmus|Nordqvist}} ||''None''
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Rebecka|Le Moine}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Riikka|Purra}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Ruth Mari|Grung}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Silja Dögg|Gunnarsdóttir}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Greenland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Sofia|Geisler}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Independent (politician)}}" |
|''Unaffiliated''
|{{sortname|Solveig|Horne}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Solveig Sundbø|Abrahamsen}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Sweden}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Staffan|Eklöf}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}" |
|[[The Social Democratic Group|Social Democrat]]
|{{sortname|Stein Erik|Lauvås}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Steinunn Þóra|Árnadóttir}} ||Presidium
|-
|{{flag|Denmark}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Stinus|Lindgreen}} ||Welfare
|-
|{{flag|Norway}} || style="background: {{party color|Centre Group}}" |
|[[Centre Group|Centre]]
|{{sortname|Torhild|Bransdal}} ||Growth and Development
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}" |
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance|Green Left]]
|{{sortname|Veronika|Honkasalo}} ||Knowledge and Culture
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Nordic Freedom}}" |
|[[Nordic Freedom|Freedom]]
|{{sortname|Vilhelm|Junnila}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Iceland}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Vilhjálmur|Árnason|dab=politician}} ||Sustainability
|-
|{{flag|Finland}} || style="background: {{party color|Conservative Group}}" |
|[[Conservative Group|Conservative]]
|{{sortname|Wille|Rydman}} ||Presidium
|}

=== Party groups ===

The Nordic Council comprises the following party groups:

{| class="wikitable centre sortable"
|+
!Name
!Abbr.
!Founded
!Ideology
!Political Group
!Nordic Council
|-
|[[Centre Group]]
|MG
|1983
|[[Liberalism]]<br>[[Christian democracy]]<br>[[Green politics]]<br>[[Agrarianism]] ([[Nordic agrarian parties|Nordic]]) 
|[[Renew Europe|Renew]], [[Greens–European Free Alliance|Greens/EFA]], [[European People's Party Group|EPP Group]]
|{{composition bar|24|87|hex={{party color|Centre Group}}}}
|-
|[[Conservative Group]]
|
|
|[[Conservatism]]<br>[[Liberal conservatism]]<br>[[Economic liberalism]]
|[[European People's Party Group|EPP Group]]
|{{composition bar|13|87|hex={{party color|Conservative Group}}}}
|-
|[[Nordic Freedom]]
|NF
|2012
|[[Right-wing populism]]<br>[[National conservatism]]<br>[[Euroscepticism]]
|[[European Conservatives and Reformists Group|ECR]], [[Patriots for Europe|PfE]]
|{{composition bar|8|87|hex={{party color|Nordic Freedom}}}}
|-
|[[Nordic Green Left Alliance]]
|NGLA
|2004
|[[Democratic socialism]]<br>[[Eco-socialism]]<br>[[Popular socialism (Nordic countries)|Popular socialism]]<br>[[Socialism]]<br>[[Environmentalism]]<br>[[Feminism]]<br>[[Progressivism]]
|[[The Left in the European Parliament|The Left]], [[Greens–European Free Alliance|Greens/EFA]]
|{{composition bar|11|87|hex={{party color|Nordic Green Left Alliance}}}}
|-
|[[The Social Democratic Group]]
|S-Norden
|
|[[Social democracy]]
|[[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats|S&D]]
|{{composition bar|26|87|hex={{party color|The Social Democratic Group}}}}
|}

==Observer, guests and other cooperation with neighbouring countries and regions==

In accordance with § 13 of the Rules of Procedure for the Nordic Council the [[Sámi Parliamentary Council]] is the only institution with observer status with the Nordic Council. In accordance with § 14, the Nordic Youth Council has the status of "guest" on a permanent basis, and the Presidium "may invite representatives of popularly elected bodies and other persons to a session and grant them speaking rights" as guests.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.norden.org/en/publication/rules-procedure-nordic-council-1|title=Rules of Procedure for the Nordic Council|doi=10.6027/NO2020-011|isbn=9789289364799|year=2020|s2cid=242821185|access-date=26 February 2020|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302171445/https://www.norden.org/en/publication/rules-procedure-nordic-council-1|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the council, "within the last couple of years, guests from other international and Nordic organisations have been able to take part in the debates at the Sessions. Visitors from the Baltic States and Northwest Russia are those who mostly take up this opportunity. Guests who have a connection to the theme under discussion are invited to the Theme Session."<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.norden.org/en/information/about-sessions-nordic-council| title= About the Sessions of the Nordic Council| website= norden.org| publisher= Nordic Co-operation| access-date= 26 February 2020| archive-date= 26 February 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200226145750/https://www.norden.org/en/information/about-sessions-nordic-council| url-status= live}}</ref>

The Nordic Council of Ministers has established four ''Offices outside the Nordic Region'': In [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]] and the German state of [[Schleswig-Holstein]].<ref name="Offices outside the Nordic Region"/> The offices form part of the secretariat of the Nordic Council of Ministers; according to the Council of Ministers their primary mission is to promote cooperation between the Nordic countries and the Baltic states and to promote the Nordic countries in cooperation with their embassies within the Baltic states.<ref>{{cite book| title= Planer och budget 2016| page= 71| publisher= Nordic Council of Ministers| year= }}</ref>

The Nordic Council and the Council of Ministers also define Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Russia as "Adjacent Areas" and has formal cooperation with them under the Adjacent Areas policies framework.

The Nordic Council had historically been a strong supporter of Baltic independence from the Soviet Union. During the move towards independence in the Baltic States in 1991, Denmark and Iceland pressed for the Observer Status in the Nordic Council for the then-nonsovereign Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The move in 1991 was opposed by Norway and Finland. The move was heavily opposed by the [[Soviet Union]], accusing the Nordic Council of getting involved in its internal affairs.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sMUW5PR1FI8C&pg=PA113|title=Diplomacy in the Former Soviet Republics|first=James P.| last= Nichol| date=23 August 1995|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275951924|page=113}}</ref> In the same year, the Nordic Council refused to give observer status for the three, at the time nonsovereign, Baltic states.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OMFdAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA157|title=Estonia: Independence and European Integration|first=David|last=Smith|date=16 December 2013| publisher= Routledge| isbn= 9781136452208|page=157}}</ref>

While the Nordic Council rejected the Baltic states' application for formal observer status, the council nevertheless has extensive cooperation on different levels with all neighbouring countries, including the Baltic states and Germany, especially the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Representatives of Schleswig-Holstein were present as informal guests during a session for the first time in 2016. The state has historical ties to Denmark and cross-border cooperation with Denmark and has a [[Danish minority of Southern Schleswig|Danish minority]] population.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.landtag.ltsh.de/aktuell/panorama_berichte/16_11_01_nordischer_rat.html |title= Schleswig-Holstein for the first time uses its observer status in the Nordic Council| website= landtag.ltsh.de| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20161117110624/http://www.landtag.ltsh.de/aktuell/panorama_berichte/16_11_01_nordischer_rat.html |archivedate=17 November 2016 | language= de| publisher= Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein| date= 1 November 2016| access-date= }}</ref> As parliamentary representatives from Schleswig-Holstein, a member of the [[South Schleswig Voter Federation]] and a member of the [[Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands|Social Democrats]] with ties to the Danish minority were elected.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.landtag.ltsh.de/infothek/wahl18/drucks/4800/drucksache-18-4839.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.landtag.ltsh.de/infothek/wahl18/drucks/4800/drucksache-18-4839.pdf |archive-date=9 October 2022 |url-status=live |title= Election of observational members to the Nordic Council| website= landtag.ltsh.de| publisher= Landtag of Schleswig-Holstein| date= 3 November 2016| access-date= }}</ref>

The [[Sami people|Sámi]] political structures long desired formal representation in the Nordic Council's structures, and were eventually granted observer status through the Sámi Parliamentary Council. In addition, representatives of the Sámi people are de facto included in activities touching upon their interests. In addition, the Faroe Islands have expressed their wishes for full membership in the Nordic Council instead of the current associate membership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.norden.org/en/news/faroe-islands-apply-membership-nordic-council-and-nordic-council-ministers|title=The Faroe Islands apply for membership in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers|website=norden.org|date=18 October 2016|publisher=Nordic Co-operation|access-date=23 August 2019|archive-date=11 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111041909/https://www.norden.org/en/news/faroe-islands-apply-membership-nordic-council-and-nordic-council-ministers|url-status=live}}</ref>

Three of the members of the Nordic Council (Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, all [[Member state of the European Union|EU member states]]), the [[Baltic Assembly]], and the [[Benelux]] sought intensifying cooperation in the [[Digital Single Market]], as well as discussing social matters, the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union]], the [[European migrant crisis]] and defense cooperation. Foreign relations in the wake of [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russia's annexation of Crimea]] and the [[Turkish constitutional referendum, 2017|2017 Turkish constitutional referendum]] were also on the agenda.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/603573/ratas-meets-with-benelux-nordic-baltic-leaders-in-the-hague|title=Ratas meets with Benelux, Nordic, Baltic leaders in the Hague|date=22 June 2017|website=ERR.ee|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726132513/https://news.err.ee/603573/ratas-meets-with-benelux-nordic-baltic-leaders-in-the-hague|url-status=live}}</ref>

Following the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]], the Finnish member of Parliament [[Mikko Kärnä]] announced he would launch an initiative at the Nordic council to grant Scotland observer status.<ref>{{Cite web| url= https://www.thenational.scot/news/19289277.scotland-deserves-observer-status-nordic-council-finnish-mp-tells-snp/| title= We'll try to get Scotland observer status on Nordic Council, Finnish MP tells SNP| website= thenational.scot| first= Xander| last= Richards| publisher= Newsquest Media Group Ltd| date= 8 May 2021| access-date= 27 September 2022| archive-date= 19 January 2023| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230119150007/https://www.thenational.scot/news/19289277.scotland-deserves-observer-status-nordic-council-finnish-mp-tells-snp/| url-status= live}}</ref> Scotland's relationship with the Nordics has also been explored by Scottish journalist Anthony Heron, who would go on to interview [[Bertel Haarder]] on the topic.<ref name="Heron 2022 w984">{{cite web | last=Heron | first=Anthony | title=Former Nordic Council chief talks Scotland's global future | website=The National | date=1 June 2022 | url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/20179405.former-nordic-council-bertel-haarder-chef-talks-scotlands-global-future/ | access-date=16 August 2023 | archive-date=14 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814224637/https://www.thenational.scot/news/20179405.former-nordic-council-bertel-haarder-chef-talks-scotlands-global-future/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Nordic unification ==
{{Further|Scandinavism}}
 
Some desire the Nordic Council's promotion of Nordic cooperation to go much further than at present. If the states of Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland were to merge in such an integration as some desire, it would command a gross domestic product of US$1.60{{nbsp}}trillion, making it the twelfth largest economy in the world, larger than that of Australia, Spain, Mexico, or South Korea. [[Gunnar Wetterberg]], a Swedish historian and economist, wrote a book entered into the Nordic Council's year book that proposes the creation of a Nordic Federation from the Council in a few decades.<ref>Wetterberg, Gunnar (3 November 2010) [http://euobserver.com/9/31188 Comment The United Nordic Federation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114081713/http://euobserver.com/9/31188 |date=14 November 2010 }}, [[EU Observer]]</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.norden.org/sv/publication/forbundsstaten-norden|title=Förbundsstaten Norden|author=[[Gunnar Wetterberg]]|series=TemaNord |date=2010 |doi=10.6027/TN2010-582 |access-date=2 December 2024|isbn=978-92-893-2131-0}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Denmark|Finland|Faroe Islands|Iceland|Norway|Sweden|Europe|North America}}
*[[Arctic Cooperation and Politics]]
*[[Baltic Assembly]]
*[[Baltic region]]
*[[Baltoscandia]]
*[[Benelux]]
*[[Council of the Baltic Sea States]]
*[[Council of Europe]]
*[[Council of the European Union]]
*[[European Political Community]]
*[[European Parliament]]
*[[Federalism in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Frugal Four]]
*[[Kalmar Union]]
*[[Nordic-Baltic Eight]]
*[[Nordic Council Children and Young People's Literature Prize]]
*[[Nordic Council Environment Prize]]
*[[Nordic Council Film Prize]]
*[[Nordic Council Music Prize]]
*[[Nordic Council's Literature Prize]]
*[[Nordic identity in Estonia]]
*[[Nordic Passport Union]]
*[[Nordic Summer University]]
*[[Nordic Youth Council]]
*[[North Sea Empire]]
*[[West Nordic Council]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
** [https://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council Nordic Council sub-site]
** [https://www.norden.org/en/nordic-council-ministers Nordic Council of Ministers sub-site]

{{Nordic Council}}
{{Nordic countries}}
{{regional organizations}}

{{Authority control}}

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