Finnish and Swedish ministers to discuss bilateral cooperation and changes in the security environment

NordenBladet — Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen and Sweden’s Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Morgan Johansson will meet in Finland on 16 March to discuss the countries’ cooperation in civil preparedness, rescue services and the implementation of the police cooperation agreement. The discussions will also touch upon cooperation between the national coast guards.“We are facing complex global challenges to our security. Finland and Sweden are preparing for these challenges in close cooperation at both political and public official level. The challenges include not only changes in the security environment but also climate change and vulnerabilities of the increasingly digital society”, says Minister of the Interior Mikkonen.“Our societies are facing many different threats that we must address. The pandemic has posed a challenge for both of our countries, and the climate crisis is a global challenge. And now the security situation in our neighbouring areas is weakening,” says Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Johansson.Close cooperation between neighbouring countries will boost the competence and activities of the authoritiesDue to the recent changes in the security environment, it is increasingly important that cooperation between Finland and Sweden is close, intensive and direct at all levels. Cooperation in maintaining and developing civil preparedness is an important part of the countries’ joint preparedness for any further changes in the security environment. The letter of intent on closer cooperation between Finland and Sweden in the field of civil preparedness and rescue services, signed in February 2021, is now more important than ever. During 2021, the countries enhanced their cooperation in civil preparedness issues related to the EU and NATO and in the field of joint exercises, statistics and research, for example. This close cooperation will be continued. The implementation of the police cooperation agreement signed last year is also an important part of the cooperation between the two countries. A government proposal for adopting and implementing the agreement in Finland is currently under preparation. Developing cooperation between the national coast guards is also an integral part of the cooperation between the countries. Ministers will attend a public discussion event at HanaholmenAfter their bilateral meeting, the Ministers will attend a public discussion event at Hanaholmen. The discussion is part of the Hanaholmen Initiative, an education programme aiming to develop the networking and competence of civil preparedness experts in Finland and Sweden. The education programme is based on the initiative of the Prime Ministers of the two countries.