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At a joint press conference in Stockholm, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen joined the leaders of the Nordic countries — Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland — to deliver a united message of European and Nordic solidarity amid global instability.

Opening the conference, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed von der Leyen, praising her “sense of urgency” and “leadership in a turbulent world.” He stressed that the Nordic region, collectively the world’s 12th largest economy, is determined to become “the world’s most integrated region by 2030.” Kristersson highlighted the Nordics’ leadership in innovation, green technology, and democracy, calling for even closer European cooperation on defence and competitiveness.

Von der Leyen, in her remarks, described the Nordic nations as the “North Star of Europe”, setting the example in readiness, preparedness, and clean-tech innovation. She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that Nordic experience “from monitoring the Arctic to deterring a rogue neighbour in the East” continues to guide Europe’s resilience.

Focusing on economic competitiveness, von der Leyen emphasized that Europe must address red tape, fragmented markets, and access to capital for startups. She pointed to Sweden’s near-100% renewable and nuclear energy mix as a model for climate neutrality and praised Nordic success in merging “climate and competitiveness into one strategy.” She reiterated her vision for Europe to retain industry, talent, and jobs by supporting “clean products made in Europe” and securing access to critical raw materials under the EU’s new Resource Plan.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo highlighted that the Nordic countries have become a security hotspot due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and the Baltic region. He called for unity, stressing that “small countries must work together to stay strong” and that competitiveness and cooperation are the keys to resilience.

Katrin Sjögren, Premier of Åland, said the meeting was marked by “determination and hope,” underlining the need for Europe and the Nordics to “stand together” in building clean energy independence, supply chains, and education-based competitiveness.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Europe faces “the greatest threat since World War II” and reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to Ukraine and European defence. She welcomed the EU Defence Roadmap 2030, calling for readiness by the decade’s end. Frederiksen emphasized Nordic values — trust, democracy, and welfare — saying: “For us, democracy is a question of human dignity.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reflected on deepening Nordic–EU integration, stressing joint efforts in defence industry cooperation and cyber security. He noted the importance of tackling organized crime and youth protection, mentioning Nordic cooperation on setting age limits for social media access to safeguard mental health.

Faroe Islands Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen underscored that the Nordics and EU are “close partners united by democracy, rule of law, and human rights.” He reaffirmed the Faroes’ support for NATO cooperation and warned that Europe must “simplify and deregulate” to stay competitive with global players.

Closing the press conference, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir urged Europe to “look north” in assessing future security risks, including Arctic challenges. She noted Iceland’s growing host-nation role in NATO, stressing that while Iceland lacks an army, it maintains strong transatlantic ties. She echoed Frederiksen’s call for public trust, warning of threats from misinformation and social media, and emphasized the importance of defending shared democratic values.

Together, the Nordic leaders and von der Leyen reaffirmed a common purpose: to strengthen European security, unity, and competitiveness, with the Nordic region serving as Europe’s model for resilience and innovation.
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