Ministers for European Affairs Tuppurainen and Dahlgren stress importance of EU as a guarantor of security

NordenBladet — On Monday 14 March, Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen and Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Hans Dahlgren met in Stockholm for a wide-ranging discussion on the security situation in Europe and other topical EU issues.The discussions highlighted both countries’ unwavering support for Ukraine and reaffirmed the EU’s resolve to defend the Ukrainian people and the country’s right to self-determination. Both Finland and Sweden have strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in breach of international law. The countries are also providing financial and material assistance to Ukraine, both directly and through the EU. “Finland and Sweden need to stay in close contact now more than ever. We share the same security environment and work together as part of the European Union. We are close NATO partners. We engage in close international defence cooperation with the United States in particular, with a strong focus on the Northern Dimension. We work together without predetermined restrictions to prepare for all situations, and we are now, like the rest of Europe and the Western community, in the midst of a dramatic change. In this situation, it is natural that possible NATO membership is a topic of discussion in Sweden and Finland,” says Minister Tuppurainen.Finland and Sweden have stressed the importance of the mutual defence clause in Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, the role of which is further emphasised in the changed security situation. The Article obliges EU Member States to use all means in their power to help another Member State that is the victim of armed aggression on its territory. In the Declaration adopted at their informal meeting in Versailles 10–11 March, the EU leaders also expressed a strong commitment to the mutual defence clause.In their meeting, the ministers had an extensive discussion on several other topical EU matters. Their discussions highlighted ongoing work to develop the EU’s defence capabilities, the heightened importance of the green transition and reducing energy dependency in the current situation, questions related to the rule of law, and Sweden’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will begin in January 2023.While in Stockholm, Minister Tuppurainen also met with Sweden’s senior public officials and representatives of business life.