Both a broad revision and an update of the parties to the Helsinki Treaty are needed

The Centre Group believes that the Helsinki Treaty must be modernised to reflect today’s security‑political and institutional realities. In addition, the status of the three autonomous countries – the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland – must be updated so that they can participate in Nordic cooperation on an equal footing with Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Calling for a treaty that reflects Nordic cooperation as it functions today

The Centre Group emphasises that the Helsinki Treaty should provide a comprehensive picture of Nordic cooperation. Although the treaty has traditionally been regarded as a framework agreement, it should cover all central areas of cooperation – including foreign, security and defence policy, which are currently not mentioned at all. At the same time, it is essential to update the content so that it corresponds to the major challenges of our time in terms of the environment, climate and biodiversity. This is necessary to ensure that the vision of making the Nordic Region the most sustainable region in the world becomes reality.

Updating the content and updating the treaty partners go hand in hand

The Centre Group underlines that modernisation requires both an update of the treaty’s content and the treaty partners. This is in line with the recommendations unanimously adopted by the Nordic Council during its session in Reykjavik in 2024. We consider an expansion of the treaty partners an important step, but it does not in itself make an outdated treaty modern.

Nordic cooperation and EU law are compatible

The newly published legal analysis by Elina Pirjatanniemi shows that EU and EEA law do not hinder deeper Nordic cooperation. On the contrary, the Nordic Region can strengthen quality and coordination within the EU through enhanced cooperation.

The goal is a stronger and more up‑to‑date treaty

The Helsinki Treaty has been revised before when the international environment has changed. Now the time has come again. A modernisation would:

• strengthen the Nordic Region’s collective security and preparedness
• adapt cooperation to the reality of NATO membership
• give the autonomous countries a role that corresponds to their competences
• deepen Nordic cooperation within the EU
• ensure that the vision of the world’s most sustainable region becomes reality

The Centre Group emphasises that Pirjatanniemi’s analysis shows that the legal foundation is solid and the need is urgent. The Nordic Region needs an updated Helsinki Treaty to act cohesively and effectively in a time of rapid change.

March 5th, 2026