Decision-makers were strongly represented at the New Nordic seminar. They all agreed that the Nordic region must now be put on the world map, and that a fixed link over the Kvarken is not merely a regional issue, but something that would have major spillover effects for the rest of Finland and for our role in both the Nordic region and Europe.
The issue of a fixed link over the Kvarken, the Nordic Connector initiative, has many aspects – something that was clearly highlighted in the speeches of the participating politicians during the seminar.
Mikko Savola, Member of Parliament, Vice Chair of the Defence Committee, Vice President of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly, and Board Member of Kvarken Council EGTC, focused on the issue from a defence policy perspective.
– Nordic defence cooperation began developing in 2014, but it has strengthened even further after all Nordic countries became NATO members, Savola began. Sweden is our closest bilateral partner and assesses its own security environment largely from the same starting points as Finland, he added.
Nordic defence cooperation is manifested, among other ways, through NATO’s FLF (Forward Land Forces) as well as Nordefco, the Nordic Defence Cooperation. In addition, Finland is part of JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force), led by the United Kingdom. Cooperation is taking place on many levels to strengthen Nordic security of supply, with transport capacity and supply routes as key elements.
– It is of particular importance to strengthen Finland’s road and rail connections from inland Finland westwards, Savola noted.
Savola also highlighted cross-border cooperation on security of supply, including regional food clusters, Vaasa’s energy cluster, and regional defence industry investments, along with the synergies a stronger framework would create – where the Nordic Connector initiative would play a central role.
Mikko Savola, Member of Parliament, Vice Chair of the Defence Committee, Vice President of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly, and Board Member of Kvarken Council EGTC, reflected on the Nordic region’s new relevance in global markets from a defence policy perspective.
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen participated in the seminar via video link and in turn pointed to technological expertise as a trump card for Finland and the Kvarken region.
– It creates new, major opportunities, but also risks and challenges. These must be addressed through cooperation – international cooperation, she argued.
Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand was present to speak about the importance of infrastructure for Nordic cooperation.
– The significance is absolutely decisive – central, Strand emphasized. Both exports and imports require well-functioning logistics, and in general we talk far too little about our exports and how important they are for Finland.
If Finland were no longer perceived as an island, it would mean a dramatic change – new flows and logistics streams would emerge, according to Strand. He believes we must ask ourselves what value a fixed link over the Kvarken would generate.
– It would contribute to prosperity, and I’m absolutely convinced that it would pay back many times over.
The importance of infrastructure for Nordic cooperation is absolutely decisive – central, emphasized Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand.
The panel brought together voices from across the Nordics to discuss concrete proposals and necessary measures to strengthen Nordic cooperation and accelerate investments in infrastructure. What is required for the Nordic region to take the lead?
The discussion continued in the framework of the seminar’s panel debate, which also included Geir Waage, Chair of the Municipal Council in Rana and Vice Chair of MidtSkandia, as well as Rickard Carstedt, Regional Councillor for regional development in Västerbotten and Chair of the Kvarken Council EGTC.
– We must now begin to focus on more concrete work and create a delegation that can raise the issue with all the Nordic governments, Waage argued. Most investments are taking place in a north–south direction, while we are working for a corridor in a west–east direction. This must be given the same status as already existing corridors and be connected to them. New joint strategies and infrastructure plans are also needed in this new geopolitical situation in which we are all NATO members.
Carstedt agreed and strongly advocated for a joint Nordic infrastructure plan, as well as new shared financing models.
– We need to be able to present a complete concept for a solution for the Nordic Connector, he said. It will also require more courage. Bold decisions and bold politicians.
Savola in turn noted that incredible work has already been done in the region, and that thanks to these efforts, awareness of the issue is now growing in other regions as well.
– But much work remains, and we need to join forces more than ever. We must continue spreading the message to other Nordic organizations and all the way up to the highest level.
There were many questions from the audience, both during the panel debate and after each session. The issue of a fixed Kvarken link, Nordic cooperation, and the Nordic region’s new role on global markets are clearly topics that spark great interest and engagement regardless of age, gender, or profession. In the end, this is hardly surprising. As Joakim Strand pointed out in his speech: this is not about Vaasa’s cause, but about Finland as a whole.
Rickard Carstedt, Regional Councillor for regional development in Västerbotten and Chair of the Kvarken Council EGTC, together with Geir Waage, Chair of the Municipal Council in Rana and Vice Chair of MidtSkandia, both presented concrete suggestions on which initiatives should be implemented next.
The panel debate and presentations can be viewed (in Finnish and Swedish) on YouTube, where the full seminar is available via the link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/NONokA4dmwg?si=lqCOStck3sic6Bwt.
Text and photos: Anna Sand
The seminar was organized by the Finnish-Swedish Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Kvarken Council, which carried out the event within the framework of its project FLINC – Financing Large-scale Cross-border Infrastructure – Case Nordic Connector. The event was part of Wasa Future Festival, which every year in early August brings together experts, innovators, and decision-makers to discuss current societal issues and future collaborations.
