![Two generals at a desk]()
Swedish Armed Forces’ Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Michael Claesson met with his Finnish counterpart, Major General Kari Nisula.
Photo: Henrik Lundqvist Rådmark/Swedish Armed Forces
“Defence cooperation with Finland is crucial to both our countries. That is why it is important for us to meet in person, to discuss certain issues that you can’t deal with in any other way,” says Lieutenant General Michael Claesson.
The aim of the Swedish-Finnish defence cooperation is primarily to enable joint operations, enhance the countries' defence capability and to promote mutual interests in defence issues.
“It also entails reinforcing the security situation in and around the Baltic Sea, and to plan for participation in our respective exercises”, says Major General Kari Nisula.
The meeting with Lieutenant General Claesson was Major General Nisula's first visit to Sweden since he was appointed Finnish Chief of Joint Operations and Chief of Finnish Defence Operations.
In September 2020, the Swedish parliament decided to expand the government’s mandate to make decisions on giving and receiving operational military support, within the framework of defence cooperation with Finland.
This means that the government may take decisions to assist Finland militarily in order to prevent any violations of Finnish territory, but also to accept military support from Finland to prevent any violations of Swedish territory, and in order to counter an armed attack.