Nordic PMs vow to boost security, defence co-op

Prime Ministers of the Nordic countries at their summer meting vowed to strengthening security and defence cooperation in their respective regions.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo took part at the meeting held at Vestmannaeyjar in Iceland on Sunday and Monday, which was his first visit abroad after taking over as the Prime Minister, said a government press release.

Along with the Nordic prime ministers, the Icelandic Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers invited Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the meeting.

The Prime Ministers emphasised the importance of complying with the rules of international cooperation and stressed the need for cooperation in the face of global challenges, such as climate threats.

They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine for as long as necessary and urged Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine immediately.

The main theme of the Nordic prime ministers’ summer meeting was how to respond to various security threats.

The summer meeting gave the prime ministers a good opportunity to discuss the current situation in Russia.

The events in Russia dominated the prime ministers’ planned discussion on how the security situation has changed as a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Orpo spoke about the diverse nature of security threats and how to respond to them.

He spoke about Finland’s comprehensive security model, which is also emphasised in the new government Programme.

“Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has changed the security situation in Europe and highlighted the need to prepare for a wide range of threats so that we can ensure the security and wellbeing of our citizens. We must look after security of supply, critical infrastructure and psychological resilience, for example. Comprehensive security is the common responsibility of all actors in society,” said Orpo.

In connection with the meeting, Orpo also met for bilateral talks with the prime ministers of the other Nordic countries and Canada.