The five Nordic countries – Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland – this week agreed to ask Mr. Stoltenberg, the father of Norway’s current prime minister, to reflect on the Nordic cooperation.
A reference group with two representatives from each country will assist Mr. Stoltenberg with the work, the Norwegian government website reports.The report will look at the time span until 2020 and be completed by the end of 2008.
The report will look at joint challenges and opportunities both in the countries’ adjacent areas and in global issues.
Thorvald Stoltenberg served as Minister of Defense (1979-81) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1987-1989 and 1990-1993) in two Labour governments. In 1993, he was the key initiator of the Barents Cooperation, a unique regional cooperation structure including parts of the Nordic countries and Northwest Russia.
