EU, Norway, and Iceland end cooperation with Russia in “Northern Dimension”

Brussels – The experience of the “Northern Dimension”, the joint programme that has linked the European Union, Norway, Iceland, and Russia in the Baltic Sea area and Arctic regions since 1999, has finally come to an end. Suspended in the aftermath of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, cross-border cooperation will now cease altogether. 

In a joint statement, Brussels, Oslo, and Reykjavik emphasised that “the geopolitical situation has changed” and that as of today, the fundamental documents that established the Northern Dimension “must be considered resolved.” Over the past twenty-five years, it has promoted good neighbourly relations and supported initiatives in areas of common interest, ranging from energy to the environment, health, social issues, and culture. The Northern Dimension also has the merit of having provided the impetus for the formation of a concrete Arctic policy by the Union. 

When the then-Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union introduced a new format of regional cooperation in Northern Europe in 1999, Russia participated from the very beginning. Over the years, it was the territory of Northwest Russia, the largest covered by the programme, that attracted the most interest in the specific opportunities for the entire region.

“The European Union, Iceland, and Norway remain committed to continuing cooperation on issues of common interest in the northern regions of Europe in other relevant international frameworks,” the statement reads.