Balkan Forum on Regional Cooperation Thessaloniki, Greece, 7 – 9 February 2013 Reflection on Nordic Cooperation Past and Present Jan-Erik Enestam Secretary General, Nordic Council

Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 2 The Countries Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and the three autonomous territories: the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland A region of approx. 26 million people And 9 official languages

Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 3 Success in the Nordic Region Fundamental Conditions Sharing Social Systems Understanding each other languages Same level of self-realisation in terms of lifestyles Using each other as a primary frame of reference

Share values Equality Trust Proximity to power Inclusion Flexibility Respect to nature Protestant work ethic Aesthetic Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 4

Differences are useful! The Nordic countries are different enough to learn from each other, and similar enough to make this learning useful. Differences create conditions for mutual beneficial learning, trade and commerce. Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 5

Historical mark points Around Christianity is accepted in the Nordic countries and the first kingdoms are established. The Viking Era ends Nordic countries united in the Union of Kalmar– before and after that many wars between Denmark (including Norway and Iceland) and Sweden (including Finland) Norway gets independence from Sweden, Finland in 1917 from Russia, and Iceland in 1944 from Denmark. Nordic countries are no longer fighting each other Few democracies in Europe - the Nordic countries among them Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 6

Historical mark points Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation World War II. Finland in two wars with Soviet Union, Norway and Denmark occupied by Germany, Sweden neutral and Iceland under British/American influence Nordic Council established after Nordic defence cooperation failed in a failure creates a success NORDEK – economic cooperation - failed. Nordic Council of Ministers established Denmark member of EU 1972 – Norway voted no to EU in 1972 and again Finland and Sweden became EU members in Iceland is now a candidate country.

Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 8 Nordic official cooperation Organisation

Nordic Countries and the Western Balkan countries; comparative statistics Western BalkanNorden Size in 1000 km Population, millions3426 Population/km28621 GDP/Capita EURO Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 9

The benefits of regional cooperation Regional cooperation yields many economic and cultural benefits, and can create a platform for stability and peace. Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 10

Success? Successful regional cooperation is the product of positive public opinion, supportive civic society and businesses, political will and it is nourished by the notion that small countries can have greater influences on the global development and be better to defend their legitimate interests through cooperation. Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 11

The way forward for Balkan cooperation A civic society that influences public opinion Academics that cooperate across borders in order to strengthen research and innovation Enriching cultural exchange that enlightens and entertains A business community that exploits the potential for growth and prosperity through trade and investment Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 12

The way forward for Balkan cooperation Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Council Nordic Co-operation 13 Politicians that strengthen relations with colleagues on the other side of the boarder, support cooperative initiatives, break down barriers and exploit opportunities common institutions can create People who travel across boarders for pleasure or to seek employment A practical appraoch