Defense Minister Kaikkonen commented on the idea of establishing a NATO base in Finland by saying that he does not rule anything out. However, the discussion about this is just ahead.
25.8. 17:00•Updated 25.8. 18:22
The defense ministers of Finland, Norway and Sweden, who met in Finland today, emphasize the importance and deepening of cooperation even when all five Nordic countries are NATO members.
– Cooperation between our countries has been valuable in these demanding times. The security situation in Europe has weakened due to the war in Ukraine. It’s important to stick together in these times, Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen (central) said at a press conference after the meeting.
Kaikkonen said the situation in Pohjoiskaloti is very important for the defense of all three countries. Finland, Sweden and Norway increase cooperation in exercises.
– Together, we ensure that the Nordic countries are producers of security. We are planning to intensify cooperation between all five Nordic countries. NATO membership brings new opportunities for deepening cooperation, Kaikkonen continued.
Also the Nordic ministerial colleagues of Sweden Peter Hultqvist and Norway Bjørn Arild Gram emphasized the deepening of cooperation.
– We have to cooperate deeply in planning. The security of the whole of Europe has been challenged by the war started by Russia in Ukraine. This is a war of an authoritarian state against democracies, Hultqvist said about Russia’s war in Ukraine.
– We respect international agreements even if Russia does not, Kaikkonen stressed.
Kaikkonen commented on the possibility of a NATO base in Finland by saying that the discussions are just ahead.
– In the best case, Finland will be a member at the end of this year, but we have to be prepared for the fact that it will go to the side of next year. The integration of the defense administration and the defense forces into NATO has started.
– There are discussions ahead of what NATO’s possible presence is in Finland and Sweden. I don’t want to rule out any option, Kaikkonen answered.
Kaikkonen said that in his one-on-one meeting with the Norwegian Defense Minister, he discussed Norway’s experiences as a NATO member.