Cooperation with the European Union
Defence cooperation in the EU strengthens the defence capability of Member States and the basis of the European defence capability, as well as the EU as a security community and a global actor.
The nature of defence cooperation within the EU has changed in the past five years. Changes in the security environment have affected the expansion of the EU’s defence policy objectives in the global strategy on the EU’s foreign and security policy published in 2016. In addition to the external action of the EU, European security is emphasised, and the strengthening of the defence capabilities of Member States is widely supported.
The Treaties of the European Union include a clause on mutual assistance that demands that Member States have the ability to give concrete help and supports the activities of Member States in preventing possible threats. Together with other EU commitments and strong interdependency, this reduces the possibility of exerting pressure on individual Member States.
Finland supports the development of EU defence cooperation, for example, in order to respond to hybrid threats, create European-level security of supply arrangements and strengthen the foundation of defence industry and technology. Support for European defence research is central in this work. Finland creates the necessary preconditions for the enforcing of the clause of mutual assistance and the giving and receiving of international aid.
The work carried out in the EU, NATO or other smaller groups of countries (such as NORDEFCO) is not competitive. The strengthening of defence cooperation in the EU supports the further development of cooperation between the EU and NATO. EU and NATO activities complement and benefit each other.
EU crisis management operations and Finland's participation
The European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which is an integral part of the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and external relations, is a cornerstone of defence cooperation in the EU. The most visible part of the CSDP is EU-led crisis management operations carried out in accordance with the comprehensive approach to crisis management.
Finland actively participates in developing the EU's crisis management in connection with the implementation of the Strategic Compass that guides the Union's security and defence cooperation. The aim is to strengthen preparedness for external action by developing crisis management structures, funding, troop formation and rapid response capabilities.
Finland currently contributes to five military crisis management operations of the EU with around 70 soldiers. This includes two training and assistance missions in Africa, the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) and the EU Training Mission in Mozambique (EUTM Mozambique, as of 1 September 2024 Military Assistance Mission Mozambique, EUMAM) which contribute to developing the capabilities of the security forces and armed forces of these countries. Finland's participation in EUTM Mali training operation ended in spring 2024 when the EU Member States decided not to extend its mandate after 18 May 2024.
Of the EU's maritime crisis management operations, Finland participates in the EU Naval Force operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI), which aims to disturb and prevent the operating conditions of human smugglers especially from Libya and to reduce illegal immigration to Europe. EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, established at the beginning of 2024, complements international efforts to secure sea routes in the Red Sea and its neighbouring areas in response to the threat posed by Houthi attacks to merchant shipping.
Finland also participates in the training support given to Ukraine, the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), the strategic objective of which is to promote the military capabilities of the Ukrainian armed forces through training and thus support Ukraine's ability to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to protect civilians. The training takes place outside Ukraine.
In addition to military measures, the EU aims to stabilise the security situation in the countries of the region through civilian crisis management. One of the EU's strengths is that it has a wide range of conflict prevention and crisis management tools at its disposal: from diplomacy to development cooperation and from civilian and military crisis management to trade policy. A military crisis management operation led by the EU should not be looked at as a separate operation, but as part of the overall activities of the EU in the area. Cases in point include the Union's presence in the Western Balkans, the Horn of Africa and providing support to Ukraine.
Read more about EU crisis management and all ongoing operations on the website of the European External Action Service.