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President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed Russia, Sweden, Nordefco, Defence Forces’ exercises and the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation

Government Communications Department
Publication date 25.10.2019 13.10 | Published in English on 25.10.2019 at 13.52
Press release 564/2019

On Friday 25 October, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed questions relating to the bilateral relations between Finland and Russia and international political matters relating to Russia.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the close foreign and security policy cooperation between Finland and Sweden. The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed matters concerning deeper defence cooperation between Finland and Sweden.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy dealt with the latest revisions in technical arrangement (TA), prepared within the framework of Nordic Defence Cooperation (Nordefco), which enables the use of air bases located in the Nordic countries as alternate landing bases (ALB). The update of the TA concerns the possibility for Nordic military aircraft to land at an alternate landing base in another Nordic country in case of bad weather or other flight safety related issues.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the Defence Forces’ plan concerning participation in international training and exercises in 2020. International training and exercises play an important role in maintaining, developing and demonstrating Finland’s defence capability. They have become increasingly important because of the changes in the security environment and the development of the deepening defence cooperation as well as for the skills and capabilities required for the tasks of the Defence Forces. Finland will participate in the exercises from its own premises. Both the significance of the exercises for the development of Finland’s defence capabilities and aspects related to foreign and security policy perspectives will be taken into account. The Ministry of Defence will approve the Defence Forces' plan to participate in international training and exercises on the basis of the guidelines presented by the President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy, having first informed the Defence Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament. The Ministry of Defence will provide more detailed information on the content of the Defence Forces’ participation in international training and exercises after the plan has been approved.

The President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy received a situation report on the Defence Forces’ main exercise, ARCTIC LOCK, in 2021. The purpose of the exercise is to develop Finland's preparedness and defence capability and to enhance interoperability with international partners.

Additionally, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the implementation of the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and Finland's participation in, for example, new projects. The preparation of a national implementation plan was also discussed.

Inquiries: Mikko Kinnunen, Director General, tel. +358 295 351 820, Sannamaaria Vanamo, Deputy Director General, tel. +358 295 351 529 (Russia), Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Janne Kuusela. Director General, tel. +358 295 140 300, Ministry of Defence