In spite of historic Nordic cooperation, there are many matters that continue to affect cross-border mobility within the region. Our goals here are to strengthen the common Nordic labour market and do away with any obstacles to cross-border mobility, so that people in the Nordic countries are able to work, live and move freely throughout the region.
We have chosen to focus both on structural issues and specific obstacles affecting this cross-border mobility. One of the main priorities, in our view, is establishing Nordic tripartite dialogue between the governments and social partners in the Nordic region. Including the social partners in a framework for Nordic cooperation will create the conditions for an ever more coordinated and integrated labour market covering the whole region. For instance, the matter of professional qualifications would be a topic where tripartite dialogue with sector-specific stakeholders would be of key importance when identifying future-proof solutions.
Greater coordination of statistics and data collection concerning professional activity in the Nordics and mobility in the region would help eliminate more obstacles to cross-border mobility. Additionally, closer cooperation and more coordinated implementation and harmonisation of EU regulations and directives between the Nordic countries would both reduce current obstacles as well as prevent new ones from arising. The common Nordic labour market is extensive and significant, particularly in border regions, and it is important that we guarantee solutions that facilitate cross-border work both from the worker and employer perspectives. Some of our important partners in the work on freedom of movement are the Freedom of Movement Council and Info Norden, two organisations that are part of the framework of activities of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Matters concerning freedom of movement have always been a priority for us. Over the years, we have taken a stand in structural matters, but also worked on specific obstacles affecting cross-border mobility on the Nordic labour market.