Finland and Sweden: Calls for Nordic Cooperation

Finland and Sweden are the only two Arctic nations that do not directly border the Arctic Ocean, with Finland being the most westerly—and thus proximate to Russia—of the two. Finland and Sweden’s interest lie first in ensuring national security as the Arctic becomes more heavily trafficked. Russia operates nuclear power plants close to their borders and poses a significant environmental hazard to both nations. Finland and Sweden both recognize the national threats that Arctic development poses and, as stated in the Stoltenberg Report, are willing to work in a cooperative fashion to design solutions relating to good governance and management of Arctic resources.

From a national security standpoint, the Stoltenberg Report calls on Finland and Sweden to aid in air overflights of Iceland, which has been largely without air surveillance since the 2006 US withdrawal from the Keflavik base.  The Nordic states have also discussed coordination in other areas such as medical assistance, education and exercise ranges. While Finland and Sweden should encourage cooperation in the Arctic, they should also selectively manage their commitments in the Arctic and to tailor them to national purposes. Strategic choices such as whether to invest in military capabilities or scientific research are likely to raise tensions within the Nordic group and will undoubtedly involve compromises on all sides.