The Nordic countries
The Nordic countries are among the most affluent in the world, and represent a stabil and well-functioning part of a changing Europe.
"The Nordic countries" is the historical and geographical name of the area consisting og Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The area has over 26 million inhabitants in total and an area of around 3,5 million square kilometres. Combined, the Nordic economy equals those of Russia and Spain. The Nordic countries have a long history as a cultural community, for example expressed through the establishment of the Nordic Council in 1959 and the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1971. The countries operate as a coordinated political block in many international contexts, and they are affiliated with the Nordic Passport Union, the Council of Europe, the EEA, the UN, and the Schengen Treaty. However, while Norway, Denmark and Iceland are members of NATO, Finland and Sweden are not. And similarly, while Denmark, Sweden and Finland are members of the European Union, Iceland and Norway are not.
Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy is the core in NUPI's research on Nordic issues. Important questions are how the Nordic countries' different alliance policies affect their ability to cooperate in practice, and what possibilities the Nordic countries have as a block in international politics.
News about The Nordic countries
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Analysis: Nordic Peacekeepers for Ukraine: Back in Blue?
16 Feb 2018- Richard Gowan
Could the Ukrainian crisis inspire a new generation of Nordic peacekeeping?
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NEW BOOK: Meeting the dragon in the North
23 Oct 2017The Nordics have a lot to gain from learning from each other's relationship with China.
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China meets the Nordics at NUPI
6 Sep 2017How does the world appear seen from China and the Nordics?
Publications about The Nordic countries
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Publication
: Academic article
Governance Entrepreneurs as Spoilers in Nordic Defence Cooperation
The deteriorated security situation in Europe has contributed to a renewed focus on Nordic defence cooperation. Recent political statements indicate an increased interest among the Nordic states to strengthen regional security cooperation in times of peace, crisis and conflict. Nonetheless, the main... -
Publication
: Academic article
The GeGaLo index: Geopolitical gains and losses after energy transition
This article presents the GeGaLo index of geopolitical gains and losses that 156 countries may experience after a full-scale transition to renewable energy. The following indicators are considered for inclusion in the index: fossil fuel production, fossil fuel reserves, renewable energy resources, governance,... -
Publication
: LESERINNLEGG
Derfor skal vi bry oss om G20-toppmøtet i Japan
(Available in Norwegian only): Utfordringene knyttet til frihandel og markedstilgang er svært viktige for Norge. Det vil de fortsette å være når G20 forflytter seg til Riyadh i 2020, skriver Wrenn Yennie Lindgren i denne kronikken.
Research projects about The Nordic countries
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Photograph: miguelb/Creative Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0
Research project
The Nordics and the International
2019 (Ongoing)Why is there not more Nordic cooperation on the international arena, when Nordic politicians so often express a willingness to develop cooperation in this field further? This project aims to build new...
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Research project
Nordic responses to Geopolitical challenges (GEONOR)
2017 - 2019 (Completed)Which tools to politicians in the Nordic countries have available to them in a more challenging geopolitical sphere?
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Research project
NORDEFCO in a different security environment: Time for new initiatives?
2017 - 2018 (Completed)The project looks closer on Norway’s cooperation with the other Nordic countries, with a particular focus on Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO).