Nordic governments to explore legal implications of proposed update to Helsinki Treaty

Last autumn, the Nordic Council called on the governments in the region to update the Helsinki Treaty, which governs Nordic cooperation, by adding new areas of cooperation and examining the contractual status of Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland.

The Helsinki Treaty forms the legal basis for Nordic cooperation by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council.

In their February response to the Council’s recommendation, the Nordic governments stressed that in the current global context, Nordic cooperation and unity are more important than ever. However, it is important to look into how updating the treaty will impact other international agreements and responsibilities.

For this reason, on 4 April 2025, the governments appointed Elina Pirjatanniemi, Professor of Constitutional and International Law at Åbo Akademi University, to study the legal implications related to the proposed update. Pirjatanniemi will be supported by a team of experts in different fields of law.

“We have heard the wishes of the Nordic Council and take them very seriously,” said Minister for Nordic Cooperation Anders Adlercreutz. “Once the study is complete, the Nordic governments will be able to take a stand on how best to proceed with the possible update of the Helsinki Treaty.”

The study is due to be completed at the end of 2025, after which it will be presented to the Nordic governments in early 2026.