The Finnish Defence Forces

06/25/2024 | Press release | Archived content

The Chairman of the European Union Military Committee visited Finland

The Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC), General Robert Brieger visited Finland from 26 to 28 June 2024.

The visitation program included visits to the National Emergency Supply Agency, the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (Hybrid CoE) and the Guard Jaeger Regiment.
During the visit, General Janne Jaakkola, Chief of Defence, who hosted the visit, emphasized the special characteristics of Finnish security and defence:

- It has been a pleasure to present the Finnish expertise and cooperation between different actors of the society to General Brieger. The conscription and the Finnish model of total security are our national strengths. I hope that the visit has further strengthened the image of a nation that takes security and defence seriously as part of the European and transatlantic community.

General Brieger addressed the importance of EU security and defence cooperation:

- I am grateful for the warm welcome and hospitality during my visit to Finland. I had the chance to meet the Chief of the Finnish Armed Forces, General Janne Jaakkola, and Ms. Teija Tiilikainen, the Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats as well as Mr. Janne Känkänen, the Director National Emergency Supply Agency, furthermore I also visited the Guard Jaeger Regiment. With all the officials, subject matter experts and colleagues, we had inspiring discussions about security challenges, crisis management and EU cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity.

The EUMC and the CEUMC as its spokesperson, representing the EU Chiefs of Defense, directs the military implementation of political guidance in order to strengthen the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The EUMC provides its best and timely military advice and direction to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider for its Member States.