Finland Sets Sights on Nordic Defence Teamwork
Image: YLE
Finland is proposing joint civil crisis management exercises with Sweden. Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen suggests that such an exercise could be held next autumn. The Foreign Minister also backs closer cooperation.
Writing in his blog on Friday, Vanhanen voiced support for Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt's call for greater Nordic defence cooperation. The premier argued that such cooperation must be able to respond to security challenges posed by civil crises. He said this should include rescue operations, citing to the tsunami disaster of 2004. He said it should also include joint materiel procurements.
Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva has also expressed his backing for Bildt's proposal. In a column in the daily Turun Sanomat on Friday, he said that it would be natural for Finland's cooperation with its Scandinavian neighbours to focus on crisis management and defence procurements.
YLE