Nordic Council session opens with discussions between Halla Tómasdóttir and Volodymyr Zelensky in Reykjavik

The Nordic Council’s annual session began today, culminating with the award ceremony later in the evening. This morning, Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held discussions at Bessastaðir.

At 9:00 AM, a joint press conference featuring the Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries took place at the Parliament House. Zelensky addressed the Nordic Council session at 10:40 AM, subsequently giving a press conference with Icelandic and international media. The Nordic Council’s session was officially opened at 2:15 PM. A meeting of the chairpersons with Nordic cooperation ministers will follow at 6:00 PM, leading up to the award ceremony for the Nordic Council, starting at 7:00 PM.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo presented Finland and Åland’s candidacy for leadership of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2025, emphasizing mutual trust to shape a collaborative future for the Nordic region through sustainability, innovation, education, gender equality, and democracy.

Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson highlighted significant geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in international relations, citing the need for the Nordic countries to uphold national rights and sovereignty and to enhance their contributions to NATO.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre discussed the Nordic countries’ role in advocating for peace, particularly regarding the Palestinian conflict, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed the importance of Greenland and the Faroe Islands participating fully in Nordic cooperation.

Security was heightened in Reykjavik as significant preparations were made for the session, reflecting Icelanders’ unfamiliarity with such security measures. Bryndís Haraldsdóttir, President of the Nordic Council, opened the session, underlining the importance of including Greenland and Åland in the Nordic Council’s activities.