On March 12-13 Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas conducted a visit to Finland where he had meetings with Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Finland Esa Pulkkinen and representatives of the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, National Emergency Supply Agency and the National Defence Training Association of Finland.
The comprehensive security model used in Finland is founded upon permanent readiness, strategic governance and flexible approach to arising threats. The Finnish experience shows that state security is impossible by means of government institutions alone, it requires the whole of society rather.
Vice Minister highlighted at the meeting that Lithuania and Finland faced shared threats. Both countries are on the frontlines and therefore need to strengthen their defence industry and capabilities and increase public resilience to ensure an effective deterrence against Russia.
Permanent readiness is one of the cornerstone principles of Finland’s security. It means that threats are identified, risks weighed and response mechanisms mapped out ahead of a potential crisis. Readiness involves not just institutions but also business, organisations and civil training to enhance emergency survival. Excellently planned readiness cuts down the risk of threats and ensures public resilience.
Vice Mnister also toured the infrastructure developed for civil safety purposes and visited the largest underground shelter in Helsinki.
“We are happy to able to learn from the best practices from our close Ally who have a clear sense of the Russian threat like we do and prepare to counter it. We have briefed the Finnish colleagues on Lithuania’s action on implementation of total defence readiness which is a decent match to Finland’s excellent model in many senses. We hope that our cooperation in the area and learning from each other will let us further strengthen public readiness and the ability to act in the event of Day X,” said Vice Minister.
Meeting with representative with the National Cyber Security Centre Finland (NCSC-F) T. Godliauskas discussed protection of critical infrastructure against cyber threats and possibilities for strengthening the Nordic-Baltic cooperation with other Allies.
