THE NORDIC COUNTRIES IN THE UN

The author has studied how the Nordic countries voted in the UN Genera l Assembly during the period 1970-93. The study illustrates how they v oted in relation to each other, to the United States, to the Soviet Un ion (the Russian Federation) and to the majority of countries of the E C (EU). Among other things the study shows that the Nordic countries, when it comes to voting, mostly act as a homogeneous group in the Gene ral Assembly. Denmark, however, after entering the EC, moved away from the group for a short period. Finland, on the other hand, being on th e fringe of the group during the Cold War, now has fully affiliated wi th the group. During the period the Nordic group as a whole often show s the same voting pattern as the majority of the EC/EU, while moving a way from the United States and towards the Soviet Union/the Russian Fe deration. This movement in relation to the superpowers reflects the No rdic lojalty to the UN system throughout the period.