Defence Ministers of Finland, Norway and Sweden signed an updated trilateral Statement of Intent

In light of the changed security situation, cooperation and unity among likeminded nations is accentuated. For this reason Finland, Norway and Sweden are enhancing and improving the trilateral defence cooperation. The updated trilateral Statement of Intent (SOI) signed 22 November 2022, outlines this common ambition of the three defence administrations to strengthen trilateral defence cooperation.

The common goal of the renewed SOI is to enhance and strengthen operations planning among Finland, Norway and Sweden in areas of common concern, especially in the northern parts of Finland, Norway and Sweden as well as improve interoperability among the armed forces.

The trilateral defence cooperation supports the objectives of broader Nordic defence cooperation (NORDEFCO). It also complements the other Nordic trilateral cooperation between Denmark, Norway and Sweden as well as bilateral defence cooperation between the participants.

The SoI does not involve an obligation to take military action; to take such action would always require separate national political decisions. The Statement of Intent is not a legally binding document.