No New Structure for Northern Nordic Cooperation in Sight? Rovaniemi, Finland (High North News): At the end of the year, Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, and the search for a new cooperation framework has so far not yielded any tangible results. “I really hope that we find a common path forward,” says Hanna Honkamäkilä in the Council of Oulu Region.
Norway, Finland, and Sweden: Discussing New Cooperation Structure in the High North Tromsø (High North News): State secretaries of Norway, Finland, and Sweden have been mandated to start designing a new framework for northern Nordic cooperation. "We have a shared interest in finding a joint answer to this," says the Norwegian Foreign Minister.
Norwegian Regional Leaders: Seeks New Solution for Northern Nordic Cooperation Finland is leaving the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, which also impacts the Barents Regional Council. A new form of cooperation that encompasses both regional and national levels should be created across the Cap of the North, believes the regional political leaders in Northern Norway.
Norway to Consider the Future of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council as Finland Withdraws Finland recently announced its withdrawal from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025. "From the Norwegian side, we will assess the path forward for the council together with the remaining members," says State Secretary Maria Varteressian in Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Finland Withdraws From the Barents Euro-Arctic Council Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025 and rather invest in other formats for cooperation in the North. The country now has an idea about designing a joint strategic agenda for the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Norwegian MFA: "Need for New Thinking Regarding Nordic Cooperation in the North" Going forward, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, which no longer includes Russia, can serve as a forum for strengthened regional efforts for societal and business development on the Cap of the North, says Norway's MFA Espen Barth Eide.
Norway Divides Responsibility for the High North Policy Between Two Ministries The Norwegian government wants to strengthen the High North's efforts with a new cooperation model between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. "A good measure and it was high time it was introduced," believes Senior Researcher at FNI.
“Cooperation With the Sámi on the Russian Side Is Severely Affected by Russia’s War” The Barents cooperation with the Sámi and other indigenous peoples in Russia has lain fallow since March 2022 – and has now formally ended with Moscow's withdrawal from the Barents Council. “The lack of interaction with the Sámi on the Russian side worries us, says Eirik Larsen, a representative in the Sámi Parliament in Norway.
Russia withdraws from the Barents Cooperation On Monday, Russia announced its withdrawal from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. The responsibility for the collapse of cooperation lies solely with the council's western members, claims the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Thorvald Stoltenberg Award to Pikene på Broen and the Samovar Theater Kirkenes: Pikene på Broen and the Samovar Theater have received an honorary award for their years-long efforts to involve artists from the entire Barents region and convey its shared history. "Despite the current demanding situation, the actors are able to contribute to contact and tolerance between neighboring countries in the region," the jury states.
Finland's MFA: The Barents Cooperation Has Had a Reneissance Kirkenes: The Barents Cooperation is very meaningful, also without Russia, and it has flourished again through increasingly engaged Nordic members, asserts Finland's MFA Pekka Haavisto at the Kirkenes Conference.
Powerful Opening of Barents Spektakel, One Year After the Invasion Kirkenes: Last Friday, in the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes, there was strong advocacy for Ukrainian freedom and for art as a point of contact with Russian regime and war opponents. Within this contact lies a vital fight against dehumanization and therefore against authoritarian Russia, says Director of the Fritt Ord foundation.
Barents Spektakel Raises Questions of Doubt and Trust Today – exactly one year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and breach of trust – Barents Spektakel commences in the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes. With the help of art productions, concerts, and debates, the festival will address difficult questions of trust and border-crossing cooperation in the North.
Norwegian Russia Diplomats: The Barents Cooperation Has Not Been In Vain The Barents cooperation has turned 30 years. This interaction – especially the people-to-people dimension – has created a less tense and more constructive neighborship in the High North and this is not zeroed out because of the Ukraine War, believes veterans of the Norwegian MFA.
After 30 Years, the Barents Cooperation Faces an Uncertain Future On Wednesday, three decades of cooperation in the Barents region will be marked in Kirkenes, on the border to Russia. The history and future of this distinctive cooperation format in the High North – which is on shaky ground due to the Ukraine war – will be illuminated from different angles.
