The world, and Europe in particular, faces significant challenges today. While nationalist movements rightfully push to reclaim control from the European Union within their countries, no prudent leader can deny the vital importance of international cooperation, especially among allies. As the EU increasingly shows signs of dysfunction and fragmentation, Ireland should consider seeking stronger partnerships elsewhere—specifically with the Nordic countries.
Since its establishment in 1952, the Nordic Council has developed into a unique parliamentary forum for cooperation among Nordic countries and their self-governing territories. As the European Union faces growing internal challenges and potential fragmentation, the Nordic Council’s model of voluntary, non-binding but effective collaboration is becoming more relevant than ever.
Consequently, Ireland must seriously consider evolving its collaboration with the Nordic Council. Scotland, though part of the United Kingdom, has already begun dialogue with Nordic countries based on shared historical and geopolitical ties. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has previously stated its intentions to deepen cooperation with the Nordic countries, yet these commitments fall flat without stated aims to seek membership of the Nordic Council.
The Nordic Council includes members from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. It promotes government-level cooperation aimed at achieving common goals in key sectors such as food security, energy, critical infrastructure, healthcare readiness, and climate resilience. Their ambitious vision for 2030 is to create the most integrated region in Europe. This includes initiatives to facilitate cross-border mobility—making it easier to live, work, study, and do business across national boundaries—as well as fostering innovation, addressing AI ethics, and expanding cultural collaboration.
Whether they succeed or not, ambition is necessary in the long term. In contrast to the European Union’s vision of these same topics, the Nordic Council’s aims are built upon the solid ground of voluntary participation by each country, not the supranational force of will.
Essentially, the Nordic Council operates in a similar way to the EU, with the exception that it fundamentally operates in a democratic manner with respect for national sovereignty. Unlike the European Union, which has binding legislative authority over its member states, the Nordic Council solely operates as an advisory body where recommendations are voluntary. No state is compelled to implement decisions, ensuring respect for sovereignty and national discretion.
In many ways, the Nordic Council exemplifies the kind of cooperation the EU was meant to be but never fully realised: a forum in which mutually respectful, voluntary collaboration thrives without one party dominating or benefiting at another’s expense. This flexible structure has enabled Nordic countries to strike a balance between sovereignty and genuine cooperation, based on mutual trust.
Moreover, the collaboration works. Successes include peacefully resolving territorial disputes such as the Åland Islands issue between Finland and Sweden, and establishing a passport union among Denmark, Finland, and Iceland in the 1950s, showcasing the Council’s role as a pragmatic problem solver rather than a bureaucratic superstate.
Some Irish nationalists may be sceptical of this view, but the Council’s record speaks for itself. Thanks to its loose structure, the Nordic countries have maintained political autonomy while nurturing deep cooperation. The Council’s longevity and impact demonstrate a working model worthy of consideration.
Please keep in mind that Ireland shares many strategic interests and challenges with the Nordic region, from its proximity to the North Atlantic to shared concerns about maritime security and the health of the ocean in general. Therefore, closer ties would be mutually beneficial.
For these reasons, Scotland’s proactive pursuit of Nordic ties, including the opening of an international office in Copenhagen and joint climate advocacy events, demonstrates the practical value of such cooperation. Ireland, similarly, a Celtic nation with historical Nordic links, would be wise to follow this path.
A closer cooperation could deliver economic benefits, streamline mobility for citizens, and enhance participation in regional innovation initiatives. Crucially, the Council’s non-binding and consultative nature lowers hurdles and risks, offering a flexible path to deepen regional links without compromising sovereignty.
Let it be clear: the EU’s future is uncertain. The United Kingdom’s exit set a precedent, and economic and political turmoil in major members, alongside an important tide of rising nationalism, threatens the Union’s cohesion. By contrast, the Nordic Council offers signs of increasing relevance as a stable regional actor.
The Nordic Council’s model of voluntary, culturally rooted cooperation presents a viable alternative or back-up to the EU amid growing challenges. For Ireland, aligning more closely with the Nordic Council could secure a stronger, more stable position in Northern European affairs, reinforcing bonds with trusted partners and safeguarding national interests in an unpredictable geopolitical environment.
Share this: