Nordic Council to vote on Helsinki Agreement updates amid Greenland boycott

The Nordic Council will soon address and vote on updates to the Helsinki Agreement, which serves as the foundation for Nordic cooperation. A proposed update aims to grant full membership status to the Faroe Islands, Åland Islands, and Greenland in the Nordic Council.

Greenland is currently boycotting the council, which is holding its annual meeting this week in Reykjavík, Iceland. The territory’s decision is based on the fact that the Faroe Islands, Åland Islands, and Greenland are excluded from significant council meetings.

Greenland is not participating in the Reykjavík meeting, and its government is reassessing its role in Nordic cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Faroe Islands are still part of the discussions in Reykjavík, despite their position aligning with that of Greenland. Faroese Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen has stated that if the change to the Helsinki Agreement is not approved, the Faroe Islands will no longer participate in the Nordic Council.

He concluded his speech at the annual meeting on Tuesday with a clear message: “Either we are in, or we are not at all.” This sentiment underscores the importance of inclusive participation for the Faroe Islands moving forward.