ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Northern Dimension as a programme (a temporary intervention in the wake of certain challenges) and a policy (the process of choosing the covenants to live by). There have been at least two attempts, each very different, to make the Northern Dimension a policy, but both resulted in the formation of a Northern Dimension that resembles more of a programme. While the Finnish initiative of the 1990s attempted to make the Northern Dimension an EU policy, multiple partners in the 2000s attempted to make it a minilateral policy of the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland. The chapter concludes that despite the Northern Dimension resembling more of a programme than a policy, it remains important for the future of EU–Russian relations, of the EU and of greater Europe. It is still possible that the EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland will return to discuss acceptable covenants to live by in the North, where a severe climate; vast, sparsely populated territories; and a vulnerable environment are common challenges, regardless of nationality. It is also possible that the EU will use the Northern Dimension as a model to build relations with economies of a size comparable to Russia.
