The Nordic countries are bound together by their common history, values, operating environments and societal similarities. The basic foreign and security policy solutions of the Nordic countries were unified when Finland and Sweden joined NATO. But there are still also differences, because Finland, Sweden and Denmark are members of the EU, while Norway and Iceland are not. Furthermore, Finland is the only member of the Eurogroup in the Nordic countries.

Finland’s cooperation with the other Nordic countries has deepened in the field of security and defence policy, as the challenges faced by the Nordic armed forces are similar. The regional security situation is also considered to have increased the need for cooperation. As all Nordic countries are now members of NATO, it is therefore possible to deepen cooperation even further.

The NORDEFCO (Nordic Defence Cooperation) arrangement was established in 2009 to coordinate forms of cooperation between the Nordic defence administrations. In addition, it also serves as a framework for cooperation on the practical level. The basis for cooperation will be strengthened through common defence policy objectives and practical cooperation between the Nordic defence forces.  NORDEFCO is led by the defence ministries of the participating countries, and Finland, Sweden and Norway have liaison officers at each other’s main headquarters.

NORDEFCO cooperation is carried out in five areas: capabilities, defence materiel, human resources and training systems, training and exercises, and operations. The presidency rotates annually between Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

The activities also include situational awareness and exercise cooperation, especially between the Nordic air forces. The aim of this deepening cooperation is military compatibility, which will enable closer cooperation between the Nordic defence forces in training, exercises, materiel procurement and crisis management operations. Another key objective is to develop the Nordic countries’ strategic and operational interoperability in the event of crises and conflicts. Exercise cooperation within NATO adds a new dimension to this.

The Nordic countries are also subject to other forms of international defence cooperation in the region, as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements and cooperation. In 2020, a trilateral declaration of intent was agreed between Finland, Sweden and Norway on deepening defence cooperation. Trilateral cooperation between Finland, Sweden and the United States is also close. As part of Nordic defence cooperation, Finland and Sweden have extensive bilateral defence cooperation.

Read more in the menu Defence cooperation between Finland and Sweden (link).

All Nordic countries are involved in the UK-led JEF cooperation covering 10 countries altogether. The aim of this cooperation is to develop the military capabilities of the participating countries, prevent various crises from occurring and, if necessary, act together in crisis situations. JEF’s main operating environment is Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea region.

Cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries (Nordic-Baltic, NB8) has been taking place since the 1990s. The NB8 Group discusses topical foreign and security policy issues from both a global and a European perspective. NB8 co-operation complements EU integration and N5 co-operation between the Nordic countries.

NATO membership for all Nordic countries will deepen the above-mentioned cooperation arrangements.

Read more in the menu International security and defence policy cooperation (link).

Read more in the menu Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy (link).