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potential with the hydro and geothermal energy in Greenland and Iceland (see e.g. Kingdom of
Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2011; Landsvirkjun, n.d.).
Despite much enthusiasm to get the economies ―on track― with the vast number of economic
opportunities that lie ahead, the countries can learn from its previous mistakes and not overheat
their economies (see Gudjonsson, 2010; VIB, 2013). Although the focus is primarily economic in
this briefing it should not be forgotten who the economies are serving, as the Arctic is first and
foremost a home for its inhabitants and it is vital that West Nordic cooperation focuses also on
cultural, environmental and healthcare issues
10
etc. (see West Nordic Council, n.d.). These issues
touch strong common interests and show how important Arctic cooperation between the West
Nordic countries can be and underline that they have much more to gain from cooperation with
each other than playing solo, thus strengthening the voice of West Nordic societies and their
increased influence in the Arctic. An important step in this direction could be for the three
governments to identify where they can increase their Arctic cooperation, utilising the West Nordic
Council and other platforms with potential to reach common goals.
Conclusion
The West Nordic cooperation has taken significant steps in the past few years, with the West Nordic
Council establishing itself as a meaningful platform for West Nordic political cooperation - building
on strong cultural ties and mutual economic benefits. Judging from the West Nordic countries
governments‘ strong emphasis on the West Nordic Council‘s further development and international
cooperation, which includes a strong Arctic focus, it is likely that the Council will keep on growing
stronger. With the Arctic‘s rising geo-economic and strategic importance, as well as the challenges
the region faces due to stressors such as climate change, it is important that the West Nordic region
works closer and more intensively together towards becoming a more active player in forming the
Arctic‘s future development in economic, environmental, cultural, legal and political terms. This is
no small task and a joint West Nordic Arctic strategy would be an important factor in this process,
as the West Nordic countries are and will be local stakeholders in a global Arctic with their
livelihoods depending on the prudent development and good governance of the Arctic‘s resources.
Notes
1.
The two latter countries are part of the Kingdom of Denmark (which is made up by
Denmark, Greenland and Faroe Islands). Iceland gained independence from Denmark in
1944, after having gained limited home rule in 1874. For the purpose of this analysis the
focus will be on these three countries direct cooperation, separate from Denmark.
2.
―Relations between Iceland and the Faroe Islands have been close in most areas, particularly
in the field of culture and business. The entry into force of the Hoyvik Free Trade
Agreement, which is the most extensive trade agreement ever made by Iceland, has been a
turning point in relations between the countries for the last three years‖ (Althingi, 2011: 8).