Finland and Sweden to strengthen civil preparedness and emergency planning together

At a meeting between the Finnish and Swedish governments in Stockholm on 16 September, the countries agreed to further intensify their cooperation in civil preparedness and emergency planning. Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior Lulu Ranne and Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin signed a letter of intent concerning the joint planning of the protection of the civilian population.

“The cooperation between Finland and Sweden on preparedness will strengthen. NATO membership has further intensified the connection between our countries as regards preparedness, and we will continue this work,” says Minister of Transport, Communications and the Interior Lulu Ranne.

Finland and Sweden agreed on joint planning to improve the conditions for protecting the civilian population in a serious crisis, armed attack or threat of an armed attack. Finland and Sweden also welcome the possibility that cooperation could be extended to cover the other Nordic countries at some point.

Strengthening civil preparedness and contingency planning is important in the current security policy situation, which is the result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Civil preparedness refers to measures taken by different authorities to safeguard the functions vital to society, basic supply for the population and the State’s capacity to act in a crisis situation. The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for rescue services and civil defence, for example.

Letter of intent complements other international cooperation

Finland and Sweden already cooperate a great deal in matters related to civil preparedness, emergency planning and rescue services. For example, the Nordic Haga cooperation in crisis preparedness will continue to be a central element to both Finland and Sweden. The letter of intent signed by the two countries will further tighten this cooperation and complement other international cooperation.

“Simultaneously, Finland and Sweden will continue to strengthen their cooperation to improve crisis resilience with the other Nordic countries, the EU and NATO,” Ranne adds.

Inquiries:
Kimmo Kohvakka, Director General for Rescue Services, tel. +358 295 488 400, firstname.lastname@gov.fi
Pauliina Eskola, Director of Rescue Services, Accident Prevention and International Cooperation, tel. +358 295 488 263, firstname.lastname@gov.fi