Denmark continues with the creation of a green Nordic region despite the financial crisis

"We have the courage to invest strategically and offensively so that Nordic co-operation continues to generate added value for our citizens and binds or nations even more closely together," emphasises Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the leader of the country that took over the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers from Iceland on 1 January.

Globalisation and the associated challenges and opportunities and creation of a sustainable and green Nordic region are the main key words during the presidency of Denmark. It means that Denmark will continue with the globalisation work, which was approved by the Nordic prime ministers in Punkaharju, Finland, in 2007.

The financial crisis, which also affected the Nordic countries, became a worrying factor of globalisation in the last year. Production decreased in the whole world and unemployment increased. The crisis is not likely to end this year and it will leave its mark on Denmark's presidency. However, Denmark as the presiding country of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) in 2010 emphasises that economic and social development must in balance with environmental protection and the fight against climate change irrespective of the economic difficulties. All people must have good living conditions.