Finland's Presidencies

The Nordic Council of Ministers

The Nordic Council of Ministers is a forum for governmental cooperation between the five Nordic countries and three Nordic autonomous territories. Finland will hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council for the third time in 2011.
 

Key priorities of the Presidency Programme of 2011

• management of climate change
• implementation of the Nordic globalisation projects
• grassroots action as the cornerstone of Nordic cooperation.

During Finland’s second Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2007, the Nordic countries’ capacity to respond to the global challenges was strengthened. Equally, efforts were made to reinforce citizens’ confidence in the functioning of the Nordic civil society and their trust in the so-called Nordic model.

Finland held the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for the first time in 2001.

Finland's Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

Finland took the chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2008 and was a troika member in 2007 and 2009.
Finland had not held a corresponding chairmanship in the OSCE or its predecessor, the CSCE, but it has hosted a Summit twice, namely the 1975 Conference and the 1992 Follow-up Meeting and Summit.

Presidency of the European Union

Finland held the Presidency of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 1999 and from 1 July to 31 December 2006. Finland’s turn will be again in 2020.

Chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council during 2005-2007

Finland held the chairmanship of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) during 2005-07. Barents Euro-Arctic cooperation has produced significant benefits to the region over the past decade. The main objective of cooperation is to contribute to stability, welfare and sustainable development in the Barents region.

The two-year chairmanship rotates between the four member states of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Finland’s third chairmanship period began in the autumn of 2005 and ended in the autumn of 2007 when Russia took over.

Council of the Baltic Sea States

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) was founded in 1992 in Copenhagen. Its membership comprises the Baltic States, Germany, Poland, Russia and the European Commission. The CBSS is engaged in regional cooperation in order to promote infrastructure development, economic and cultural improvements, and the elaboration of democratic structures. Finland held the chairmanship of the CBSS during 2000-02.