Nordic Council of Ministers suspends cooperation with Russia and Belarus

March 4, BPN. The Nordic Council of Ministers suspends cooperation with Russia and Belarus, the website of the organization informed.

The Nordic Council coordinates cooperation among the Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

All programs, projects, and events in Russia and Belarus have been suspended “until further notice.” The decision was made in response to Russia’s military attack on Ukraine.

The statement notes that the ministers “condemn the unprovoked, unlawful, and illegitimate Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.” Russia’s military actions represent an “attack on the European security order,” and the Nordic countries are “united in their solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.”

Since 2005, in cooperation with the European Commission, the Nordic Council had been supporting the European Humanities University (EHU). It also administered the Open Europe Scholarship Scheme, which provides study opportunities for Belarusian citizens and is funded by the European Commission.

Further, the Nordic Council was in charge of the Civil Society Stability for Belarus project, supporting Belarusian civil society after the 2010 presidential elections. The initiative was funded by the European Commission in order to assist civil society organizations, independent media, and victims who have suffered from the authorities’ actions.

In 2018, the Nordic Council supported a project to reduce black carbon emissions in Belarus.

After the 2020 elections, the Nordic Council discussed the possibility of allowing Belarusian youth to study in the Nordic countries.

The Nordic Council leadership recommended that the Nordic governments develop a curriculum for Belarusian students for 2023-2026 and coordinate it with the Nordic Council.