Nordic Council: Difference between revisions
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The '''Nordic Council''' and the '''Nordic Council of Ministers''' is a cooperation forum for the Parliaments and governments of the [[Nordic countries]]. It was established following [[World War II]] and its first concrete results was the introduction in [[1952]] of a common labour market, social security, and free movement across borders without passports for the countries' citizens. |
The '''Nordic Council''' and the '''Nordic Council of Ministers''' is a cooperation forum for the Parliaments and governments of the [[Nordic countries]]. It was established following [[World War II]] and its first concrete results was the introduction in [[1952]] of a common labour market, social security, and free movement across borders without passports for the countries' citizens. |
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== Membership == |
== Membership == |
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[[Image:Nordic countries.GIF|thumb|290px|[[Political geography|Political map]] of the Nordic countries and associated islands.]] |
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Members of the Council include: |
Members of the Council include: |
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* {{flagcountry|Åland}} (Finland) |
* {{flagcountry|Åland}} (Finland) |
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In addition, [[Estonia]], |
In addition, [[Estonia]], which is often considered a [[Nordic countries|Nordic country]] due to its strong cultural, historical and (recently) economic ties with Finland and Sweden, aims to gain membership of the Council. Estonia already has Nordic Council offices and information points in five of its cities. |
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== Organization == |
== Organization == |
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The Nordic Council and the Council of Ministers have offices in [[Copenhagen]] and various installations in each separate country, as well as many offices in neighbouring countries. The council does not have any formal power on its own, but each government has to implement any decisions through its country's legislative assembly (parliament). With [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and [[Iceland]] being members of [[NATO]] and [[Finland]] and [[Sweden]] being neutral, the Nordic Council has not been involved in any military cooperation. |
The Nordic Council and the Council of Ministers have offices in [[Copenhagen]] and various installations in each separate country, as well as many offices in neighbouring countries. The council does not have any formal power on its own, but each government has to implement any decisions through its country's legislative assembly (parliament). With [[Denmark]], [[Norway]], and [[Iceland]] being members of [[NATO]] and [[Finland]] and [[Sweden]] being neutral, the Nordic Council has not been involved in any military cooperation. |
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The Nordic Council uses |
The Nordic Council uses [[Swedish language|Swedish]], [[Danish language|Danish]] and [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]] as its working languages. |
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The original Nordic Council concentrates on inter-parliamentary co-operation. The ''Nordic Council of Ministers'', founded in [[1971]], is responsible for inter-governmental co-operation. |
The original '''Nordic Council''' concentrates on inter-parliamentary co-operation. The '''Nordic Council of Ministers''', founded in [[1971]], is responsible for inter-governmental co-operation. |
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[[Image:Norden pop density.gif|thumb| |
[[Image:Norden pop density.gif|thumb|250px|[[Population density]] in the Nordic region.]] |
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== Alternate projects and plans == |
== Alternate projects and plans == |
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In the [[1960s]] there were plans to develop the Nordic cooperation into an organisation similar to the [[European Economic Community]]. A treaty was negotiated to establish a new organisation, [[NordEk]] headquartered in [[Malmö]]. Though ultimately it was the case that Finland did not dare to ratify the treaty due to its [[Finlandization|special relationship]] to the [[Soviet Union]]. Without Finland the idea was defunct, and Norway and Denmark chose to apply for membership in the EEC. Denmark became a member of the EEC in [[1973]], but Norway rejected accession in the same year in a referendum. 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 the [[Circumpolar]] affairs. |
In the [[1960s]] there were plans to develop the Nordic cooperation into an organisation similar to the [[European Economic Community]]. A treaty was negotiated to establish a new organisation, [[NordEk]] headquartered in [[Malmö]]. Though ultimately it was the case that Finland did not dare to ratify the treaty due to its [[Finlandization|special relationship]] to the [[Soviet Union]]. Without Finland the idea was defunct, and Norway and Denmark chose to apply for membership in the EEC. Denmark became a member of the EEC in [[1973]], but Norway rejected accession in the same year in a referendum. 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 the [[Circumpolar]] affairs. |
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Sweden and Finland joined the [[European Union]] in [[1995]]. Norway has still not joined, twice rejecting an offer of membership through a national referendum. Icelandic and Faroese public opinions are both solidly against EU membership. |
Sweden and Finland joined the [[European Union]] in [[1995]]. Norway has still not joined, twice rejecting an offer of membership through a national referendum. Icelandic and Faroese public opinions are both solidly against EU membership. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Scandinavia (disambiguation)]] |
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* [[Scandinavian defense union|Scandinavian defence union]] |
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*[[Nordic region]] |
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*[[Baltic region]] |
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*[[Northern Dimension]] |
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* [[International organizations]] |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
Revision as of 08:34, 6 April 2006
File:Nordic.gif Flag of the Nordic Council | |
Working languages | Danish Norwegian Swedish |
Seat | Copenhagen |
Nordic Council: Foundation |
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Nordic Council of Ministers: Foundation |
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Area - Members - With Greenland |
Ranked 19th 1,318,412 km² 3,493,000 km² (7th)¹ |
Population - Total - Density |
Ranked 45th 24,299,610 18.7/km² (6.9/km²)¹ |
Currencies | Danish krone Norwegian krone Icelandic króna Swedish krona Euro |
Time zone | UTC 0 to +2 (-3)¹ |
¹ Including Greenland |
The Nordic Council and the Nordic Council of Ministers is a cooperation forum for the Parliaments and governments of the Nordic countries. It was established following World War II and its first concrete results was the introduction in 1952 of a common labour market, social security, and free movement across borders without passports for the countries' citizens.
Membership
Members of the Council include:
Nations:
Autonomous territories:
- Faroe Islands (Denmark)
- Greenland (Denmark)
- Åland (Finland)
In addition, Estonia, which is often considered a Nordic country due to its strong cultural, historical and (recently) economic ties with Finland and Sweden, aims to gain membership of the Council. Estonia already has Nordic Council offices and information points in five of its cities.
Organization
The Nordic Council and the Council of Ministers have offices in Copenhagen and various installations in each separate country, as well as many offices in neighbouring countries. The council does not have any formal power on its own, but each government has to implement any decisions through its country's legislative assembly (parliament). With Denmark, Norway, and Iceland being members of NATO and Finland and Sweden being neutral, the Nordic Council has not been involved in any military cooperation.
The Nordic Council uses Swedish, Danish and Norwegian as its working languages.
The original Nordic Council concentrates on inter-parliamentary co-operation. The Nordic Council of Ministers, founded in 1971, is responsible for inter-governmental co-operation.
Alternate projects and plans
In the 1960s there were plans to develop the Nordic cooperation into an organisation similar to the European Economic Community. A treaty was negotiated to establish a new organisation, NordEk headquartered in Malmö. Though ultimately it was the case that Finland did not dare to ratify the treaty due to its special relationship to the Soviet Union. Without Finland the idea was defunct, and Norway and Denmark chose to apply for membership in the EEC. Denmark became a member of the EEC in 1973, but Norway rejected accession in the same year in a referendum. 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 the Circumpolar affairs.
Sweden and Finland joined the European Union in 1995. Norway has still not joined, twice rejecting an offer of membership through a national referendum. Icelandic and Faroese public opinions are both solidly against EU membership.
See also
External links
- Nordic Council - Official Site
- Nordic FAQ