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"We need to stand together. It is only a decade since many were declaring Nordic co-operation an anachronism, and claiming that only European co-operation meant anything. I am pleased that the consensus at the 2006 Session of the Nordic Council was that the Nordic countries should work more closely together," he said. Halldór Ásgrímsson is a warm advocate of Icelandic membership of the EU and Stephensen asked him what consequences it would have for Nordic co-operation if all the countries were members of the Union? "I have no doubt it would provide a boost to Nordic co-operation. The Nordic countries would stand together on the same basic values and exert a joint influence on Europe. It would make us work more closely together. I have taken part in Nordic co-operation throughout my political career, and it cannot be denied that Iceland and Norway occupy, to a certain extent, a position as outsiders in European co-operation. Nordic co-operation is, however, the most effective instrument we have to exert some kind of influence or other," the new Secretary General replied . Also has The Nordic Council a new head from January 2007. Dagfinn Høybråten will serve as President of the Nordic Council 2007. A key figure in Norwegian politics, Høybråten has led the Christian People's Party since 2004. He has also served as Minister of Health 2002-2004 and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs 2004-2005. |
New Secretary General
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Halldór Ásgrímsson took over as Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers on 1 January 2007. He is not proposing any revolutions in the activities of the Council, and is pleased that agreement has been reached to bolster Nordic co-operation. Ólafur Þ. Stephensen has interviewed the new Secretary General, who was an MP in Iceland for an almost uninterrupted period 1974-2006. He has served as minister of fisheries, justice, Nordic co-operation (twice) and foriegn affairs as well as Prime Minister. Ásgrímsson believes in the 'Nordic' concept: |