Estonian daily Postimees: “What is the secret of the Nordic countries’ success?”

Monday, 15 June 2015
Cartoon: Urmas Nemvalts/Postimees/print screen Cartoon: Urmas Nemvalts/Postimees/print screen

Postimees journalist Marti Aavik spoke to Christer Haglund, the director of the  Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia, and the ambassadors of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark in Estonia to find out what makes the five Nordic countries – a region with a total population of 26 million – one of the most successful and unique in the world.

  • What role does culture play in the shared spirit of the Nordic countries?
  • Why aren't the Nordic countries plagued by the problems that accompany urbanisation elsewhere?
  • Is there a fear in the Nordic countries of being on the global periphery?
  • Is funding for research and development the cornerstone of economic success?
  • and many other questions

Aavik also asked the ambassadors what preconceptions and notions the Nordic countries have in regard to one another. You can find the answers to all these questions and more in the full story (in Estonian) and watch a humorous clip in English on the Postimees website.

Day before the article was published the Nordic embassies in Tallinn, the Icelandic embassy in Helsinki and the Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Estonia organised together the first joint Nordic Midsummer Party in Estonia. Take a look at the pictures from the party in our gallery.


Newsletter sign up

  • news
  • events
  • funding deadlines
  • recent publications