The Helsinki Treaty

Treaty of Co-operation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (the Helsinki Treaty). This Treaty was signed on 23 March 1962 and entered into force on 1 July 1962. The original text has been amended by Agreements that were signed on 13 February 1971, 11 March 1974, 15 June 1983, 6 May 1985, 21 August 1991, 18 March 1993, and 29 September 1995. The most recent amendments entered into force on 2 January 1996.

## Preamble to the Treaty of 23 March 1962

The Governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, desiring to promote and strengthen the close ties existing between the Nordic peoples in matters of culture, and of legal and social philosophy, and to extend the scale of co�operation between the Nordic countries; desiring to attain uniformity of regulation throughout the Nordic countries in as many respects as possible; desiring to achieve, where possible, an appropriate division of labour between the Nordic countries in all those fields; and desiring to continue the co-operative efforts of significance to the Nordic countries that take place within the Nordic Council and other co-operative agencies, have agreed to the following provisions:

desiring to strengthen and expand the institutional foundations for co-operation between the Nordic countries;

considering it appropriate for this purpose to amend the Treaty of Co�operation of 23 March 1962 between the Nordic countries;

having resolved therefore to include in the Treaty of Co-operation the fundamental provisions regarding the Nordic Council;

and having resolved further to include in the Treaty of Co-operation provisions regarding a Nordic Council of Ministers, with competence in the whole field of Nordic co-operation,

have agreed as follows:

## Preamble to the Agreement of 11 March 1974

The Governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, having amended the Treaty of Co�operation between the Nordic countries of 23 March 1962 by the Agreement of 13 February 1971; and considering it appropriate to make certain further amendments and additions to the Treaty, have agreed as follows:

## Preamble to the Agreement of 15 June 1983

The Governments of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, having amended the Treaty of Co�operation between the Nordic countries of 23 March 1962 by the Agreements of 13 February 1971 and of 11 March 1974; and considering it appropriate to make certain amendments to the Treaty in order to provide the Faeroe Islands and the Åland Islands with Nordic countries in the process of European co-operation, have agreed as follows:

## Introductory Provision

### Article 1

The High Contracting Parties shall endea�vour to maintain and develop further co�operation between the Nordic countries in the legal, cultural, social and economic fields, as well as in those of transport and communi�cations and environmental protection. The High Contracting Parties should hold joint consultations on matters of common interest which are dealt with by European and other international organisations and conferences.

## Legal Co-operation

### Article 2

In the drafting of laws and regulations in any of the Nordic countries, citizens of all the other Nordic countries shall be treated equally with the citizens of the aforementioned country. This shall apply within all those areas falling within the jurisdiction of the Treaty of Co�operation. Exceptions to the first paragraph may, however, be made if a requirement of citi�zenship is constitutionally stipulated, or is necessary because of other international obligations or is otherwise deemed necessary for particular reasons.

### Article 3

The High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to facilitate the acquisition by citizens of one Nordic country of citizenship in another Nordic country

### Article 4

The High Contracting Parties shall continue their co-operation in the field of law with the aim of attaining the greatest possible uniformity in the field of private law.

### Article 5

The High Contracting Parties should seek to establish uniform rules relating to criminal offences and the penalties for such offences. With regard to criminal offences com�mitted in one of the Nordic countries, it shall, as far as circumstances allow, be possible to investigate and prosecute the offence in another Nordic country.

### Article 6

The High Contracting Parties shall seek to achieve a co-ordination of legislation in such areas, other than the aforementioned, as are considered appropriate.

### Article 7

Each High Contracting Party should endeavour to ensure the implementation of regulations to allow decisions by a court of law or other public authority in another Nordic country to be executed also in the territory of the said Party.

## Cultural Co-operation

### Article 8

Educational provision in the schools of each of the Nordic countries shall include an appro�priate measure of instruction in the languages, cultures and general social conditions of the other Nordic countries, including the Faeroe Islands, Greenland and the Åland Islands.

### Article 9

Each High Contracting Party should maintain and extend the range of opportunities for students from other Nordic countries to pursue courses of study and sit examinations at its educational establishments. A student should be permitted to count part of an examination passed in one Nordic country towards a final examination taken in another Nordic country, whenever it is realistic. It should be possible for students to receive financial assistance from their home countries, irrespective of the country in which their studies are being pursued.

### Article 10

The High Contracting Parties should co�ordinate that part of the public education system that provides qualifications for certain occupations and professions. The qualifications provided by such edu�cation should, as far as possible, be recog�nised and accepted in all the Nordic coun�tries. Requirements relating to supplementary education and training necessitated by national conditions may, however, be pre�scribed.

### Article 11

In those areas where co-operation is appro�priate, the expansion of educational establish�ments should be co-ordinated through a con�tinuous process of co-operation with regard to the planning and execution of such expansion.

### Article 12

Co-operation in the field of research should be so organised that research grants and other resources are co-ordinated and used in the best possible way, including the establishment of joint institutions.

### Article 13

In order to support and strengthen cultural development, the High Contracting Parties shall promote free Nordic adult education and exchanges between the Nordic countries in the fields of literature, art, music, theatre, film and other areas of culture, and in so doing, utilise the opportunities provided by radio and television.

## Social Co-operation

### Article 14

The High Contracting Parties shall seek to preserve and develop further the common Nordic labour market in accordance with the guidelines drawn up in previous Agreements. Employment services and vocational guidance shall be co-ordinated. There shall be a free exchange of trainees. Efforts should be made to achieve a uniform application of national regulations concerning health and safety at work and similar matters.

### Article 15

The High Contracting Parties shall endea�vour to ensure that the citizens of each Nordic country, when resident in another Nordic country, shall, as far as possible, enjoy the same social benefits as are provided for the citizens of the country of residence.

### Article 16

The High Contracting Parties shall develop further co-operation in public health, and me�dical care and temperance work, as well as in the care of children and young people.

### Article 17

Each of the High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to ensure that safety controls of a medical, technical or similar nature are executed in such a way that the authorisation or certifica�tion of the control procedure will be recognised in the other Nordic countries.

## Economic Co-operation

### Article 18

In order to promote economic co-operation between the Nordic countries in various areas, the High Contracting Parties shall hold joint consultations on matters of economic policy. As part of this process, they should attend to the possibilities of co-ordinating measures aimed at equalising the effects of fluctuations in the economic cycle.

### Article 19

The High Contracting Parties intend to promote, to the greatest extent possible, co-operation between their countries concerning production and investment and, in this regard, to seek to create the appropriate conditions for direct co-operation between companies in two or more Nordic countries. As part of a more exten�sive international process of co-operation, the High Contracting Parties should seek to achieve an appropriate division of labour between their countries in matters of production and invest�ment.

### Article 20

The High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to ensure the greatest possible freedom of move�ment of capital between the Nordic countries. Joint solutions shall be sought in other matters of common interest pertaining to payment and currency.

### Article 21

The High Contracting Parties shall seek to consolidate previously initiated co-operative efforts aimed at eliminating trade barriers between the Nordic countries and strengthen and develop further such co-operation to the greatest extent possible.

### Article 22

In matters of international trade policy, the High Contracting Parties shall endeavour, joint�ly and severally, to promote Nordic interests, and shall hold joint consultations to this end.

### Article 23

The High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to bring about the co-ordination of technical and administrative customs regulations and make such simplifications of customs proce�dures as to facilitate transport and communi�cations between the Nordic countries.

### Article 24

The regulations governing Nordic cross-border trade shall be so formulated as to cause a minimum of inconvenience to the inhabitants of the border areas.

### Article 25

When the need arises, and where the appro�priate conditions obtain, for the joint eco�nomic development of adjacent areas in the territories of two or more High Contracting Parties, these Parties shall jointly endeavour to promote such development.

## Co-operation on Transport and Communications

### Article 26

The High Contracting Parties shall endea�vour to consolidate previously initiated co-operative efforts in the field of transport and communications and seek to develop this co-operation with a view to facilitating transport and communication links and the exchange of goods between the Nordic coun�tries and to finding appropriate solutions to any problems that may exist in this field.

### Article 27

The construction of transport and communica�tion links that affect the territories of two or more High Contracting Parties shall take place subject to consultations between the Parties concerned.

### Article 28

The High Contracting Parties shall seek to maintain and develop further the co-operation that has made their territories into a single passport-control area. Cross-border passport controls of travellers between Nordic countries shall otherwise be co-ordinated and further simplified.

### Article 29

The High Contracting Parties shall co-ordinate their efforts to improve road safety.

## Co-operation in the Area of Environmental Protection

### Article 30

In their national legislation and in the appli�cation thereof, the High Contracting Parties shall, to the greatest extent possible, place the environmental interests of the other High Contracting Parties on an equal footing with their own.

### Article 31

(3) The High Contracting Parties shall seek to harmonise their environmental protection regulations so as to attain the greatest possi�ble measure of agreement on standards and guidelines relating to pollution, the use of toxic substances that harm the environment, and other damaging effects on the environment.

### Article 32

(3) The High Contracting Parties shall seek to co-ordinate matters relating to the allocation of nature reserves and recreational areas, and to protective initiatives and other measures for the conservation of flora and fauna.

## Other Areas of Co-operation

### Article 33

(8) Participation by the High Contracting Parties in European and other international forms of co-operation provides excellent oppor�tunities for collaboration for the benefit of Nordic citizens and companies. The Govern�ments bear a particular responsibility in this regard to safeguard common interests and values.

### Article 34

Public Officials in the Foreign Services of any of the High Contracting Parties who are serving outside the Nordic countries shall, to the extent that it is compatible with their duties and when no objection is lodged by the country in which they are serving, also be of assistance to citizens of the other Nordic countries, should the latter not be represen�ted in the territory concerned.

### Article 35

The High Contracting Parties should, wherever possible and appropriate, co�ordinate their activities concerning aid to, and co-operation with, the developing countries.

### Article 36

Measures aimed at disseminating greater information about the Nordic countries and Nordic co-operation should be taken in close collaboration between the High Contracting Parties and their foreign information services. Joint approaches and arrangements may be considered where these are deemed appro�priate.

### Article 37

The High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to co-ordinate the various branches of their official statistics.

## Special Agreements

### Article 38

Detailed provisions concerning co-operation in the fields here mentioned may be set out in special Agreements.

## The Forms of Nordic Co-operation

### Article 39

(4) In order to implement Nordic co-operation and develop it further within the terms of this Treaty and other Agreements, the Nordic countries should hold joint consultations on a permanent basis and, where necessary, take co-ordinated measures.

### Article 40

(4,8) Nordic co-operation shall take place in the Nordic Council, in the Nordic Council of Ministers, at the meetings of the Prime Ministers, at the meetings of the Foreign Ministers and those of other Ministers and in special co-operative bodies, as well as between the specialised public authorities of the Nordic countries.

### Article 41

Provisions resulting from co-operation be�tween two or more High Contracting Parties may not be altered by any Party, unless the other Parties are notified thereof. Notification is, however, not required in urgent cases or where the provisions concerned are of minor importance.

### Article 42

Public authorities in the Nordic countries may correspond directly with one another on matters other than those which, by their na�ture or for other reasons, should be dealt with through the agency of their Foreign Services.

### Article 43

(3) In matters pertaining to Nordic co-operation, the principle of public access should be observed to the greatest extent possible.

## The Nordic Council

### Article 44

It is in the Nordic Council that the popularly elected assemblies of the Nordic countries and those of the Faeroe Islands, Greenland and the Åland Islands, the Governments of the Nordic countries and the Home Rule Governments of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland and the Regional Government of the Åland Islands co-operate. The Council has the power to initiate proposals and to give advice on matters pertaining to co-operation between all or some of these countries and the Faeroe Islands, Greenland, and the Åland Islands and is otherwise charged with the functions evident under this Treaty and in other Agreements.

### Article 45

(5) The Council may adopt recommendations, make other representations or issue state�ments of its views to one or more of the Governments of the Nordic countries or to the Council of Ministers.

### Article 46

(5) In addition to what has been specifically agreed, the Council should be given the oppor�tunity to state its views on major issues of Nordic co-operation unless this is impracticable due to time constraints.

### Article 47

(5,2,8) The Council consists of 87 elected members, representatives of the Nordic Governments and representatives of the Home Rule Govern�ments of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, and the Regional Government of the Åland Islands. The Danish Parliament appoints sixteen of the elected members, the Finnish Parliament eighteen, the Icelandic Parliament seven, the Parliaments of Norway and of Sweden twenty each, the Parliaments of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland, and the Legislative Assembly of the Åland Islands two each. Each of the popularly elected assemblies also elects a corresponding number of substitute members. The election of members and substitute members takes place annually, and their term lasts until the next election. In the election of members, different political opinions are to be represented on the Council. Only a member of the Assembly conduc�ting the election may be elected a member or substitute member of the Council. The Governments, including the Home Rule Governments of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland and the Regional Government of the Åland Islands, may appoint from among their members the number of representatives they wish to send.

### Article 48

(5,2,8,9) The national delegation of Denmark consists of the members elected by the Danish Parliament and of the representatives appointed by the Danish Government together with the dele�gations of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland referred to in the following paragraph. The national delegation of Finland consists of the members elected by the Finnish Parliament and of the representatives appointed by the Finnish Government together with the delegation of the Åland Islands referred to in the following paragraph. The national delegations of the other countries consist of the members elected by the national parliament and of the represen�tatives appointed by the Government. The delegation of the Faeroe Islands consists of the members elected by the Parliament of the Faeroe Islands and the representatives appointed by the Home Rule Government. Greenland’s delegation consists of the members elected by the Parliament of Greenland and by the representatives appointed by the Home Rule Government. The delegation of the Åland Islands consists of the members elected by the Legislative Assembly of the Åland Islands and by the representa�tives appointed by the Regional Government. The term “delegation”, as used in Article 58, paragraph 2, shall be understood to mean the national delegation.

### Article 49

(5,2) The representatives of the Nordic Govern�ments, the Home Rule Governments of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland and of the Regional Government of the Åland Islands are not entitled to vote in the Council. In matters relating to the application of Agreements between certain of the countries, only the Council members of the countries involved are entitled to vote.

### Article 50

(5) The organs of the Nordic Council are the Plenary Assembly, the Presidium and the Standing Committees.

### Article 51

(5,7,9) The Plenary Assembly consists of all the mem�bers of the Council. The Plenary Assembly shall hold at least one ordinary session annually. Extraordinary sessions are to be held when the Presidium so decides, or when no fewer than two Govern�ments, or no fewer than twenty-five elected members, so request. The powers of the Council shall be exercised by the Plenary Assembly, unless otherwise specially prescribed. Unless the Plenary Assembly decides otherwise, its deliberations shall be public.

### Article 52

(5,6,7,9) At its annual ordinary session, the Plenary Assembly shall appoint for a term of one calen�dar year a Presidium consisting of a President and the number of members specified in the Rules of Procedure of the Nordic Council. Different political opinions shall be repre�sented in the Presidium. Each country shall be represented in the Presidium. Members of the Presidium shall be elected members of the Council. The Presidium deals with the Council’s current business and otherwise represents the Council to the extent set out in this Treaty and in the Council’s Rules of Procedure. The Presidency of the Council shall rotate between the Nordic countries in the manner prescribed by the Rules of Procedure of the Nordic Council.

### Article 53

(5,9) The Plenary Assembly shall determine the number of Standing Committees and their areas of operation. The Standing Committees shall prepare matters for consideration by the Council.

### Article 54

(5,6,7,9) The Nordic Council shall be assisted in its work by a Secretariat of the Presidium.

### Article 55

(5,2,7,9) The Governments, including the Home Rule Governments of the Faeroe Islands and of Greenland and the Regional Government of the Åland Islands, the Council of Ministers, the Council Presidium, the Standing Committees and the members are entitled to submit pro�posals to the Council.

### Article 56

(5,7) Recommendations may be adopted by the Plenary Assembly on the basis of the proposals submitted. Other representations may be made by the Presidium on the basis of the proposals submitted. Statements of views are to be made by the Plenary Assembly. When representations are made by the Presidium, there shall be a statement of views by the Presidium. The Presidium shall report to the Plenary Assembly on the measures it has taken, with reference to the second and third paragraph of this Article.

### Article 57

(5,7) Elected members may submit questions to a Government or to the Council of Ministers with regard to reports or communications submitted to the Council or on any other matters pertaining to Nordic co-operation.

### Article 58

(5,2,7) Each delegation is to bear the costs of its participation in the Council. For each financial year, the Presidium shall determine how the joint expenditure is to be apportioned among the delegations.

### Article 59

(5) The Plenary Assembly shall determine the Rules of Procedure of the Nordic Council. For decisions on the adoption of Rules of Procedure, or on amendments thereto, a two-thirds majority of the elected members of the Council is required.

## The Nordic Council of Ministers

### Article 60

(5,2) It is in the Nordic Council of Ministers that the Governments of the Nordic countries co-operate. The Home Rule Governments of the Faeroe Islands and Greenland and the Regional Government of the Åland Islands take part in the work of the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers makes decisions to the extent set out in this Treaty and in other Agreements between the Nordic coun�tries. The Council of Ministers is also respon�sible for co-operation between the Govern�ments of the Nordic countries and between the Governments and the Nordic Council in other matters relating to co-operation.

### Article 61

(5,1,2,8) Members of a National Government, a Home Rule Government or the Regional Government of Åland Islands may in exceptional cases be represented at a meeting by duly autho�rised persons. However, no fewer than three countries must be represented by Government members. It is the Prime Ministers who are respon�sible for the overall co-ordination of matters of Nordic co-operation. In each country, they shall be assisted by a member of the Govern�ment (the Minister for Co-operation) and an Under-Secretary of State or government official (a member of the national Standing Committee on Nordic Co-operation). The Presidency of the Council shall rotate between the Governments of the Nordic countries in accordance with the detailed provisions of an Agreement. It is the Presi�dency that is responsible for co-ordinating co-operation between the Governments of the Nordic countries and for initiating action on appropriate matters. The Presidency shall preside over the business of the Council of Ministers, at other Ministerial meetings and at the consultations of the Governments on European and other international matters at all levels. The Council of Ministers shall be assisted in its work by Committees of Government Officials and by the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

### Article 62

(5) The Council of Ministers is quorate when all the Nordic countries are represented on the Council of Ministers. In respect of matters of exclusive concern to certain countries, however, only those countries need be represented. Each country has one vote in the Council of Ministers. The decisions of the Council of Ministers shall be unanimous. Procedural matters may, however, be settled by a simple majority of those voting and, in the event that the vote is tied, by the casting vote of the Presidency. Abstentions do not constitute an impedi�ment to a decision.

### Article 63

(5,2,8) The decisions of the Council of Ministers are binding on each country. Decisions on matters that under the constitution of any one of the countries require parliamentary approval, however, are not binding on that country until approved by its Parliament. If such approval is necessary, the Council of Ministers shall be informed thereof before making its decision. Until parliamentary approval has been obtained, no other country is bound by the decision. Decisions made under this Treaty are binding on the Faeroe Islands, Greenland and the Åland Islands, insofar as they accede to the decision in accordance with their statutes of self-government.

### Article 64

(5,6,8) The Council of Ministers shall submit an annual report to the Nordic Council on the subject of Nordic co-operation and an account of the plans for future co-operation. The Prime Minister of the country holding the Presidency shall report to the Nordic Council on the main features of this co�operation and on co-operation between the Governments on European and other international issues. The Nordic Council of Ministers shall submit its proposals for budgetary dispo�sitions to the Nordic Council for its conside�ration. The Nordic Council may propose changes to the priorities made in the financial frame�work set out by the Council of Ministers. Unless there are extreme circumstances not to do so, the Council of Ministers shall comply with the recommendations of the Council regarding the budget, within the financial framework as set out.

### Article 65

(5) Prior to each ordinary session of the Plenary Assembly of the Nordic Council, the Council of Ministers shall report to the Nordic Council on the measures taken in respect of the Council’s recommendations and other repre�sentations. If a recommendation or other form of representation has been addressed to one or more Governments, such a report may be submitted instead by that Government or the Governments to which the recommendations or representations were made.

### Article 66

(5) The Council of Ministers determines its own Rules of Procedure.

### Article 67

(5) Consultations between the Governments of the Nordic countries may take place at the meetings of the Nordic ministers as well as in the Council of Ministers.

## Amendments to the Treaty

### Article 68

(5) The Nordic Council shall be given the oppor�tunity to state its views before the High Con�tracting Parties agree any amendments to this Treaty.

## Final Provisions of the Treaty of 23 March 1962

### Article 69

This Treaty shall be ratified and the instru�ments of ratification deposited at the earliest possible date with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland. The Treaty shall enter into force on the first day of the month immediately following the date on which the instruments of ratification of all the Parties have been deposited. English

### Article 70

Should any of the High Contracting Parties wish to terminate this Treaty, written notice to this effect shall be delivered to the Finnish Government, which must immediately inform all the other High Contracting Parties thereof, and of the date when notice was received. The termination applies only to the coun�try giving notice, and shall take effect on the first day of the month that falls six months after the date when the Finnish Government received notice of termination. The Treaty shall be deposited with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland, and the said Ministry shall transmit certified copies thereof to each High Contracting Party. In witness whereof the undersigned rep�resentatives, being duly authorised thereto, have appended their signatures to this Treaty. Done at Helsinki, in the Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish languages, in a single copy, each text being equally autho�ritative, this 23rd day of March, nineteen hundred and sixty two.

Источник: Helsingforsavtalet Samarbetsöverenskommelse mellan Danmark, Finland, Island, Norge och Sverige