Russia’s offensive war in Ukraine fundamentally changed the European security order. As a consequence of Russian actions and the worsened security situation in Europe, Finland and Sweden have decided to apply for membership in the defence alliance, NATO. Finnish and Swedish NATO membership comprises a new situation, with new opportunities for the Nordic collaboration on defence and security policy.
Hybrid threats, cyberattacks, disinformation, and influence operations comprise a serious and growing challenge in the Nordic region and the world. As digitalised, open, and democratic societies, the Nordic countries are especially vulnerable.
The Corona pandemic showed the need for more Nordic collaboration within contingency planning. In its Strategy on Societal Security (2019), the Nordic Council called for a number of measures to improve Nordic collaboration on societal security. Promoting security in the Nordic region requires good contact with other actors in the region. The Nordic social model also comprises a pillar for societal safety and security. A stable economy has an important role in ensuring this.
Serve as a living forum for parliamentary debate on Nordic foreign and security policy and societal security/total defence. We will help gather the foreign and security policy expertise, and learn from the experiences of our international collaboration partners.
Strengthen the parliamentary dimension in the Nordic defence collaboration, for example through the annual roundtable meetings with NORDEFCO.
Promote a discussion on the role and stance of the Nordic region in the NATO defence alliance, including a focus on the Nordic region’s peacekeeping role, and work for human rights.
That issues concerning security in the Baltic Sea area, the Arctic, and the North Atlantic will be high on the agenda in the international collaboration and in the dialogue with the Baltic Assembly and other partners.
Insist that and work to ensure that the Arctic and the North Atlantic remain a low-tension area in terms of security policy, that the Arctic cooperation remains constructive, and that the rights of indigenous peoples are respected.
That the Nordic countries will strengthen their foreign, defence and security policy collaboration, including civil contingency that contributes to the general security. Nordic defence cooperation does not threaten anyone, but contributes to stability and predictability in the region.
That the Nordic governments assess whether the Helsinki Agreement needs to be updated to ensure it is better adapted to the new reality regarding foreign and security policy.
That the Nordic countries strengthen their collaboration on societal security, total defence, and critical infrastructure.
That the Nordic countries collaborate effectively in all international organisations and are prepared, when necessary, to play their part in crisis management.
Work to ensure that the Nordic countries take cooperation on fossil-free and renewable energy and energy security to a new level, and investigate how to further integrate and deepen Nordic energy security and general contingency regarding supply.
Work to develop a Nordic strategy on cybersecurity.
That the Nordic countries increasingly utilise the potential in marketing the Nordic region as a unified entity internationally. Awareness of the benefits of Nordic cooperation internationally, as well as joint Nordic promotion, is not strong enough among the Nordic governments.
That the Nordic governments assess whether the Nordic Council of Ministers should increase support for the Nordic countries' collaboration on foreign and security policy, societal security, contingency and total defence, for example through research and other capacities.