Nordic co-operation on foreign and security policy has a long history and broad political and public support. The countries largely share a common security environment and perception of threats. Cooperation has been carried out for decades, for example, in peacekeeping and crisis management operations. Nordic defence policy cooperation has been deepened through the NORDEFCO framework (Nordic Defence Cooperation).

Finland’s cooperation with the other Nordic countries, especially Sweden, is already diverse due, for example, to the deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea and the rest of the surrounding area.

Working together, the Nordic countries can strengthen security in the region and also promote global security. Nordic interaction can also selectively promote other key pillars of Finland’s security and defence policy, the EU’s security and defence policy and NATO cooperation.

At the same time, the diversity of security threats in Finland’s neighbouring areas has increased – threats such as hybrid influencing, uncontrolled migration and terrorism, as well as security challenges related to new technologies. But, in addition to the challenges, they offer new opportunities and needs for cooperation.

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 European perspective. NB8 co-operation complements EU integration and N5 co-operation between the Nordic countries.

Read more in the menu Nordic defence cooperation (link).

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