EU external border countries face common security challenges

The interior ministers of Finland, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine met in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, on 27 October. The ministers discussed current security challenges facing their countries. The agenda included hybrid threats, border control, immigration, civil preparedness and resilience of critical infrastructure. Finland was represented at the meeting by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

“Cooperation between countries on the EU’s external border is vital at the moment. This group supplements the traditional cooperation engaged in by the Nordic and Baltic countries. We share particular challenges in border security that must be overcome,” Minister Rantanen said.

“Today we agreed to intensify cooperation in internal security matters, such as information sharing and capacity building. We will also continue to support Ukraine together for as long as necessary,” the Minister said.

In Lithuania, Minister Rantanen also had a bilateral meeting with Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko. The ministers discussed Finland’s support for Ukraine and what Finland can learn from Ukraine in terms of preparedness and improving readiness.

Finland has actively provided civilian material assistance to Ukraine from the first day of Russia's invasion. Finland is also supporting Ukraine through civilian crisis management. Finnish experts are currently working in the EU's civilian crisis management mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine).

Inquiries:
Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Director General, tel. +358 40 720 2216, firstname.surname@gov.fi