Finland and Sweden to intensify planning and cooperation on security of supply

Finland and Sweden will increase cooperation on security of supply. "The matter was agreed on in connection with the joint meeting of the Finnish and Swedish governments in Stockholm on 16 September 2024. The aim is to develop security of supply between the two countries and specify it in concrete terms.

The letter of intent between Finland and Sweden on joint planning of security of supply was signed by Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman and Sweden’s Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin. 

Finland and Sweden aim to begin preparations for joint security of supply planning. It is a means to strengthen resilience and improve cost-effectiveness. In the same context, the countries will also explore whether their agreement on security of supply (Agreement on economic cooperation in international crisis situations) signed in 1992 needs to be updated.

"Our changed security policy environment highlights the need for stronger coordination than before, also in matters related to security of supply between our countries", says Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman.

The preparatory work will be carried out in cooperation with the relevant ministries and authorities, including the National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), taking into account the work already underway. The ministries will be engaged in continuous dialogue on the progress of the work, which will also be monitored at the political level. 

Concrete ways to intensify cooperation may include cooperation in material preparedness, in particular piloting of joint emergency stockpiles, capacity to repair underwater infrastructure, especially submarine cables, and logistics cooperation in northern regions as well as exchange of situational information, joint review of the risk and threat environment, and joint analysis cooperation. The NESA already cooperates closely with the MSB.

Strengthened bilateral cooperation complements other cooperation at the Nordic, Nordic-Baltic and European levels as well as NATO’s work on resilience without diminishing their importance. Finland and Sweden welcome the possibility to strengthen and expand co-operation with the other Nordic countries too. 

Inquiries:
Teemu Hartikainen, Special Adviser to Minister of Economic Affairs, tel. +358 295 047296
Eeva Vahtera, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 049 009 
Henri Backman, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 063 581