Prime Ministers of Finland and Sweden stress role of EU as security provider

Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson have written a letter to President of the European Council Charles Michel emphasising the EU’s key role in security policy. The letter draws attention to the heightened role of the EU’s solidarity and commitment to the mutual defence clause (Article 42.7) in the changed security policy situation.

On 10–11 March, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will organise an EU summit where the EU leaders will draw up a strong and ambitious declaration emphasising stronger investments in European defence and capabilities, among other things. In their letter, Finland and Sweden stress that in the current security policy situation, the EU leaders must be very united and clear about the fact that the EU is also a security community for its Member States. The mutual defence clause is an essential part of this.

Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union obliges EU Member States to use all means in their power to help another Member State that is the victim of armed aggression on its territory.

Inquiries: Jari Luoto, State Under-Secretary for European Affairs, tel. +358 50 468 5949, Tuulia Pitkänen, Special Adviser for EU Affairs, tel. +358 41 501 3092, and Anne Sjöholm, Head of Communications, tel. +358 40 537 0733, Prime Minister’s Office