Norway, Sweden and Finland have agreed to create a joint expert group for exploring cooperation opportunities in the so-called "High North" regions of the three Nordic countries, the Norwegian government announced on Friday.

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said that she and her Finnish and Swedish colleagues Jyrki Katainen and Fredrik Reinfeldt have come up with the idea of setting up an expert group for enhanced cooperation among the three countries in their High North regions.

The term "High North" was introduced by some experts as the English synonym for the Norwegian term nordomradene (i.e. the northern areas) in the mid 1980s, but not adopted as the official language of Norwegian authorities until the beginning of the 21st century.

"Our three countries have a common interest in strengthening economic development in the north. This is an important priority in the (Norwegian) High North policy and a priority for my Government. Cooperation with our Nordic neighbors to the north is central, " said Solberg in a press release.

The expert group will consist of CEO of Finland's Central Chamber of Commerce Risto E.J. Penttila, Rector of the UiT Norwegian Arctic University Anne Husebekk and the governor of Sweden's northernmost county of Vasterbotten, Magdalena Andersson.

The expert group is tasked with finding specific thematic areas for further cooperation in sustainable economic development in the northern parts of the three countries.

Policy recommendations from the group may include measures in both the public and private sectors.

The group is expected to complete its research project in 2014.