Defence ministers from ten JEF countries to convene in Helsinki

On 30 June to 1 July 2021, Minister of Defence Antti Kaikkonen will host a defence minister meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) countries in Helsinki. The ministers will discuss topical security issues in the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic region. A political steering document guiding JEF military activities will be signed in the meeting. In addition, a scenario-based exercise will be organised during the meeting to explore the decision-making mechanisms and conditions for their cooperation.

"The JEF activities focus on the Baltic Sea and Arctic environments that are important for Finland and activities that involve Finland's key partner countries," says Minister Antti Kaikkonen.

The UK-led JEF is a multilateral framework for defence cooperation formed by ten countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Finland joined the JEF in summer 2017 at the same time as Sweden. The most recent expansion took place in April this year when Iceland joined.

Through their cooperation, the JEF partner countries aim to develop military capabilities, prevent various crises and, if necessary, act together in crisis situations. The main operating environment is Northern Europe.

Inquiries: Senior Staff Officer Tatu Mikkola, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 295 140 006, and Senior Advisor Aleksi Kuutio on communications related to the meeting, tel. + 358 295 140 128.