The Faroe Islands and Denmark Assume the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers

At the turn of the year, the Faroe Islands and Denmark formally assumed the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers for 2026.

Under the Presidency, entitled "Strong Ties in Changing Times", the Faroe Islands and Denmark will focus on developing and strengthening cooperation among all eight Nordic countries, with particular emphasis on:

• societal security and preparedness
• competitiveness in the Nordic countries
• equal participation in Nordic cooperation for the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and the Åland Islands

The Presidency programme is available here.

As part of the Presidency, the Faroe Islands will host more than 20 meetings under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026, at both ministerial and official levels. The annual summer meeting of the Nordic Ministers for Cooperation will take place in the Faroe Islands on 15-16 June, with societal security and preparedness on the agenda.

In 2024, the Nordic Council unanimously agreed to urge the Nordic governments to establish a commission tasked with proposing amendments to the Helsinki Treaty. Among other objectives, the proposed amendments aim to ensure equal participation by the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and the Åland Islands.

This spring, the Nordic governments appointed Elina Pirjatanniemi, Professor of Law at Åbo University, to analyse potential legal challenges related to updating the Helsinki Treaty. Her work was completed by the turn of the year, after which the Ministers for Cooperation is to consider whether to establish a commission.

Sirið Stenberg, Minister for Nordic Cooperation, stated: "Given the current circumstances, there is an urgent need to strengthen relations and cooperation with our Nordic sister nations.

The Faroe Islands have been part of Nordic cooperation for more than 50 years and actively participate across all areas of society and sectors. For decades, the Faroe Islands have sought membership in their own right. It is therefore with great pleasure that the Faroe Islands assume the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers together with Denmark. We will strive to establish a commission to update the Helsinki Treaty and to achieve full membership for the Faroe Islands."