Nordic cooperation treaty faces first major update in 30 years

The Nordic governments have agreed to revise the Helsingfors Treaty, the foundational agreement governing cooperation in the Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers, marking the first potential update in three decades, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

A newly appointed commission will draft proposals to grant Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland equal status in Nordic cooperation—a key demand from the autonomous territories. However, critics argue the mandate is too narrow and should address broader reforms.

“The Nordic governments’ focus on strengthening Greenland’s, the Faroe Islands’, and Åland’s position is just one of many points needing attention,” said Ville Väyrynen, president of the Nordic Council, in a statement. A 2024 working group had recommended expanding the treaty to include defense and security policy, climate action, cross-border obstacles, and civil emergency cooperation.

Kristina Háfoss, secretary-general of the Nordic Council, welcomed the commission’s establishment but noted its limited scope. “We had hoped the governments would adopt the full recommendation,” she told DR, emphasizing that the Nordic Council—representing all eight Nordic parliaments—had unanimously backed broader reforms.

Mariane Paviasen, a Greenlandic MP from the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, called the move “a step in the right direction” but warned of consequences if full equality isn’t achieved. “If we aren’t treated as equals, we’ll have to seek other partners,” she said, referencing Greenland’s 2024 boycott of Nordic Council sessions over perceived exclusion.

Lars-Christian Brask, head of Denmark’s Nordic Council delegation, prioritized equality for the territories but acknowledged the need for a comprehensive treaty overhaul. The commission’s proposals are expected by autumn 2026, ahead of the Nordic Council’s annual session.

The Helsingfors Treaty, signed in 1962, establishes the framework for intergovernmental and parliamentary cooperation among Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and their autonomous regions. The Nordic Council comprises 87 parliamentarians, while the Nordic Council of Ministers coordinates government collaboration across policy areas.