Finland withdraws from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council

Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025. Finland will continue cooperation in the northern regions through other channels.

Founded in 1993, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council has sought to promote stability and sustainable development in the Barents Region. 

However, the changes in the European security order and the international environment have affected regional cooperation in the north. 

“Before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Barents cooperation was an effective channel for Finland to interact with others in the northern regions. However, this form of cooperation no longer meets today's needs, and it creates overlapping structures. Finland's goal is a stable and prosperous Nordic region, and we will continue to invest in it through various forms of cooperation,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

For Finland, maintaining close cooperation in the northern regions is even more important than before. The cooperation will continue with both Sweden and Norway and in international fora, such as the Nordic Council of Ministers. 

In line with the Government Programme, the Prime Minister's Office is currently leading the work to draw up a programme for northern Finland. One of the ideas put forward in the draft programme, which is being circulated for comments, would be to draw up a joint strategic agenda for the northern regions in Finland, Norway and Sweden.

As a consequence of the withdrawal from the Council, Finland will also withdraw from the Agreement on the Establishment of the International Barents Secretariat. On the basis of a motion proposed by the Government, the President of the Republic will decide on the withdrawal from the agreement on 22 November.