Security and preparedness is the topic for the Nordic Council Theme Session in Helsinki

This year’s theme is “More unity – a new era for Nordic security and preparedness” and the debate will focus on how the Nordic countries can strengthen their defences, civil preparedness and resilience to threats and disinformation.

The security situation in Europe has become significantly more complex in recent years. Ukraine is now fighting a battle for the whole of Europe, and the Danish Defence Intelligence Service says there is an increasing risk of a major war in Europe in the next few years. The Nordic countries are already facing hybrid attacks in the form of disinformation campaigns and attacks on critical infrastructure, for example, the damage done to cables in the Baltic Sea recently.

The situation calls for closer Nordic co-operation – internally between the Nordic countries but also with the Baltic countries, the EU, NATO and other strategic partners. The MPs who sit on the Nordic Council will meet to discuss these topics at the annual Theme Session.

The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, will open the debate as a keynote speaker. Stubb has long argued for closer Nordic co-operation on security and a more robust European defence policy. The Swedish Minister for Civil Defence, Carl-Oskar Bohlin, will also attend and highlight ways of forging greater Nordic unity in times of heightened threats.

If you are interested in these important discussions about Nordic security and preparedness, follow the livestream here on norden.org.