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Prime Minister visiting Sweden and
Finland today to fortify European security
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Nations to sign mutual security assurances with the UK to
tackle traditional, hybrid and cyber threats
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Security declarations will see a step-change in defence and
security cooperation, including the sharing of new
intelligence and joint military operations
The Prime Minister is signing historic declarations with Sweden
and Finland today to reinforce their security and fortify
northern Europe’s defences, in the face of renewed threats.
As fellow liberal democracies, and members of the Joint
Expeditionary Force, both nations are already vital security
partners in Northern Europe, with world-leading defence
capabilities and cutting-edge technology development.
Visiting Harpsund, the Swedish Prime Minister’s country
residence, and Helsinki, the Prime Minister will set out the UK’s
intention to support the two nations’ armed forces should either
face crisis or come under attack.
This morning the Prime Minister signed mutual security assurances
with Prime Minister Andersson in Sweden, and this afternoon he
will travel to Finland to sign a similar security declaration
with President Niinistö.
The declarations will see a step-change in defence and security
cooperation between the UK and each country, intensifying
intelligence sharing, accelerating joint military training,
exercising and deployments, and bolstering security across all
three countries and northern Europe.
They will also see the UK bolster its collaboration on
traditional threats facing all three nations, while working also
with Sweden and Finland to tackle new geopolitical challenges,
such as hybrid and cyber threats.
The Prime Minister will also make clear the UK’s unwavering
support for NATO’s open door policy during the visit.
Prime Minister said:
We are steadfast and unequivocal in our support to both Sweden
and Finland and the signing of these security declarations is a
symbol of the everlasting assurance between our nations.
These are not a short term stop gap, but a long term commitment
to bolster military ties and global stability, and fortify
Europe’s defences for generations to come.
The declarations signed today will allow the UK to cooperate with
key Nordic partners and their armed forces, in all domains,
including cyberspace. They will also allow for closer
collaboration on new technology and intelligence gathering.
As part of increased defence cooperation with Sweden and Finland,
the Prime Minister will offer to increase deployments to the
region, including with Royal Air Force, British Army and Royal
Navy assets and personnel.
Both Sweden and Finland have played a key role in supporting
Ukraine to defend itself in recent weeks and months, while
British, Swedish and Finnish forces have exercised together
across the High North and the Baltics.
Both nations are part of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force
taskforce, which brings together 10 countries in support of
stability and security in the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea Region
and the High North. The assurances made today build on the
already close ties of that defence grouping.
Today’s visit comes after the Prime Minister welcomed the Swedish
and Finnish leaders to Downing Street in March to discuss closer
security and defence ties.
