Co-operation between Finland and Sweden in changing security policy situation to be discussed during President Niinistö’s state visit to Sweden

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press release 29/2022
10 May 2022

President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö will make a state visit to Sweden with his spouse Jenni Haukio on 17–18 May 2022. During the visit, the focus will be on current security policy issues. Other topics on the agenda include security co-operation between Finland and Sweden, co-operation in the field of crisis preparedness and the green transition.

The state visit will begin on Tuesday morning with the Swedish royal family of ceremoniously welcoming the presidential couple on a state visit to Sweden. The public may follow the event in front of the Royal Palace starting from 10 o’clock local time.

After the welcoming ceremony, President Niinistö and King Carl Gustav XVI will visit the Riksdag, where they will meet Andreas Norlén, Speaker of the Riksdag. The discussions will also be attended by members of the Swedish Parliamentary Committees of Foreign Affairs and Defence. After the discussions, President Niinistö will deliver a speech to the members of the Riksdag under the title “A responsible, strong and stable Nordic region”.

President Niinistö will conduct official discussions with Prime Minister of Sweden Magdalena Andersson on Tuesday afternoon, the topic being the security policy solutions of Finland and Sweden. To conclude their discussions, they will hold a joint press conference.

The Tuesday programme will also include a function at Kulturhuset (House of Culture), addressing cultural co-operation between Finland and Sweden, and a banquet hosted by the royal couple at the Royal Palace.

On Wednesday morning, President Niinistö and the King will participate in a debate focusing on the green economy transition at Stockholm Institute of Finland. The event will also be attended by Mika Lintilä, Finnish Minister of Economic Affairs; Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, Swedish Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation; and representatives of Finnish and Swedish business sectors.

After the debate, the programme will continue with a visit to the Swedish Naval Base at Berga, where the visitors will get acquainted with the operations of the forces specialised in the coastal conditions. In addition to a discussion arranged about the defence co-operation between Finland and Sweden, there will be a separate discussion with experts of security and defence policy. The participants will also include Prince Carl Philip, Antti Kaikkonen, Finland’s Minister of Defence and Jan-Olof Lind, State Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of Defence. The visit to the naval base will be hosted by general Micael Bydén, Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces.

After the visit to Berga, the presidential couple and the royal couple will participate on a luncheon hosted by the City of Stockholm at the City Hall and get acquainted with co-operation in crisis preparedness at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency MSB together with Morgan Johansson, Swedish Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.

The official state visit will end with a reception hosted by the presidential couple to thank the Swedish hosts at the residence of the ambassador of Finland to Sweden and farewell ceremonies at the Royal Palace.

Spouse of the President of the Republic Jenni Haukio will have separate programme on both days of the state visit. On Tuesday, she will visit Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde with Queen Silvia. The art museum currently has an exhibition honouring the 100th anniversary of Åland’s autonomy. On Wednesday, Mrs Haukio and the Queen will get acquainted with the activities of the Swedish Academy and visit the activity centre for Ukrainian children established at the National Nordic Museum.

Previously, President Niinistö visited Sweden in November 2021. President Niinistö made an official state visit to Sweden with his spouse at the beginning of his term as president in 2012. The previous state visit to Finland by King Carl Gustav XVI and Queen Silvia was made in 2015. In addition, they visited Finland together with other Nordic heads of state in 2017 in honour of the centennial of Finland’s independence.