Analys Norden: Defence Co-operation of Nordic Countries and Finland Glancing at Russia

Sweden has in fact abandoned the principle of not taking part in defence alliances although Swedes will always remain neutral deep inside, writes columnist Eva Franchell in the December issue of the political journal Analys Norden of the Nordic Council of Ministers. For example, Sweden has an important role to play in the NATO defence plan, should Russia launch an attack on the Baltic States.

The December issue of the Analys Norden focuses on new trends in the foreign and security policy of the Nordic Countries, which increasingly concentrates on more intensive co-operation. The Nordic Countries took different directions in their defence policies after World War II. Intensive co-operation in this field seemed impossible rather than likely. Franchell recalls that Sweden, hoping for united defence co-operation in the Nordic Region was greatly disappointed by the decisions of Norway (as well as Iceland) to instead join the NATO.

However, the current mission of Sweden in Afghanistan under the NATO banner has been the most crucial issue in the foreign policy of the kingdom for years. Joining NATO as such, on the other hand, is a forgotten topic.

The situation is the same in Finland where, contrary to the presumptions made before the Parliament elections in April, the NATO question is not discussed at all. Co-operation with Russia, on the other hand, has increased – the Finns are concerned about visa-free travel between the European Union and Russia, more intensive trade connections, and a sharper edge to the Arctic issues. Finland is first and foremost leaning on the North, notes analyst Markku Heikkilä.

In addition to analyses of the foreign and security policies of Finland and Sweden, in-depth discussions by analysts from Norway, Denmark, Iceland and the Faroe Islands have been published in the Analys Norden. It is also detailed how national extremists are becoming more active in Finland before the next year’s elections and that the new defence policy of Sweden will very likely be determined by the new leader of the Social Democrats.

All the columnists are presenting their personal views in the Analys Norden; the journal does not present the official views of the Nordic Council of Ministers.