File picture of the Defence Committee chairman of Swedish Parliament, Peter Hultqvist (left), Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja and the Swedish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee Vice Chairman Ahlin. Photo Lehtikuva
Social democrats would like to see stepped up defence cooperation between Finland and Sweden.
In an article published in the Swedish daily Dagbladet, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja and Peter Hultqvist, chair of the Swedish parliamentary defence committee have presented concrete ways in which the two Nordic countries could cooperate in defence.
In the article, they suggested that the two nations should share more information on defence planning as well as increase joint exercises and training.
They also named areas in which the two countries could go for a higher level of cooperation. These include a closer cooperation between the Uusimaa Brigade and its Swedish counterpart.
Increased cooperation in procurement of defence materials, according to them, would also be beneficial for both the countries.
They said Finland and Sweden could develop a common air control in the north and be able to use each other’s air base.
