A live webcast from Haaparanna will find out what is being thought about NATO issues in Northern Sweden right now. Including e.g. a guest from the Swedish Home Security Forces.
Sweden’s NATO node finally opened when Turkey gave the green light to NATO membership on Monday evening.
A person from Asaparanta enjoying a sunny summer day Henrik Oja says he feels good now.
– It is important that we unite against evil forces.
However, he admits that Sweden’s NATO process has been so long-winded that he has not been able to follow every turn.
Also from Asaparanta Soile Rova is satisfied, because “Russia is so close”. Tarja Rantalankila praises the fact that Sweden will soon be in the same group as Norway and Finland.
What else does the upcoming NATO membership and the end of 200 years of non-alignment in northern Sweden mean, other than an increased sense of security?
We will find out about that on ‘s live webcast on Wednesday at 12 o’clock.
A guest from the Home Guard
The broadcast discusses, among other things, the Swedish home security forces, which are a significant part of the Swedish defense forces.
Home security forces are often thought of as old men with rifles. Chief of Staff of the Swedish Defense Forces, lieutenant general Michael Claesson knock out the image.
– We have about 40 local battalions. Recruited forces stretch from south to north and are highly motivated to defend their home towns and territories. They have modern equipment and the average age is about 39 years, so there is plenty of performance, says Claesson.
The guest on the broadcast is the team leader of Haaparanta’s home security forces Mauri Pekkala. A long-term promoter of cross-border cooperation, the chairman of the Haaparanta municipal council, discusses the meaning of NATO membership with him Bengt Westman.
The colonel of the Jaeger Brigade is also heard in the broadcast Kimmo Kinnusen evaluates the significance of Sweden’s NATO membership for Finland’s defense.
The live webcast will start at 12 noon and will last approximately 20-30 minutes. You can follow it in Finnish at the main picture of the story or on Areena.