Centre Group Calls for Nordic Defence Commission – Sweden’s Decision Sends a Strong Signal

The Centre Group is calling for strengthened Nordic defence and security cooperation through a commission with parliamentary backing. The group expressed its support for the decision made by the Swedish Parliament on June 10, urging the Swedish government to work towards establishing such a commission.

– Sweden’s decision is an important signal to the other Nordic countries: parliamentarians want a joint process with strong parliamentary anchoring, said Jouni Ovaska, Chair of the Centre Group. – We fully support the Swedish Parliament.

So far, the Nordic governments have not approved the proposal, but the Centre Group hopes Sweden’s decision will accelerate negotiations.

NATO Membership Increases Pressure to Remove Border Barriers

The Centre Group also highlights the need to eliminate border obstacles that hinder civil and military mobility between the Nordic countries. Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership has increased the need for swift and smooth border crossings in crisis situations.

– Military border barriers are often linked to civilian ones, so this is about promoting integration between the Nordic countries at all levels, said Heidi Greni from the Centre Group.

The Nordic countries are heavily dependent on transport routes in the Baltic Sea, and the Centre Group emphasizes the need to develop alternative connections between Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Additionally, the group calls for a revision of the Helsinki Treaty to include foreign, security, and defence policy.

Visit to Blekinge Highlighted the Importance of Defence Cooperation

Members of the Centre Group participated in the Nordic Council’s Presidium meeting on June 10–11 in Blekinge, Sweden. The program included visits to the naval base and the Saab Kockums shipyard in Karlskrona. In addition to Jouni Ovaska and Heidi Greni, Lars-Christian Brask and Helena Gellerman also took part (pictured).