Arctic Security Forces Roundtable held in Finland

NATO's newest member nation Finland hosted the annual Arctic Security Forces Roundtable (ASFR) April 25-27 in Turku, bringing together more than 50 senior military leaders from 11 NATO Ally and partner nations to discuss issues paramount to security in the High North.

That is stated by the U.S. European Command Public Affairs. 

"Finland is a northern country. The Arctic region is, of course, important to us, and we share the same challenges and concerns with our Allies and partners," said Finnish Defence Forces deputy chief of staff for strategy, Army Maj. Gen. Janne Jaakkola in the news release. 

"This year the discussions have concentrated on the current strategic situation and implications for the future. This roundtable is one of the fora where we can discuss how to strengthen the security and stability of the Arctic region," he added.

The topics of the meeting ranged from understanding Russia's and China's perspectives and interests in the Arctic to how to improve interoperability and integrated deterrence of NATO Allies and partners in the strategically critical region.

"As the Arctic becomes increasingly accessible, the need for cooperation and collaboration on Arctic security among nations is more important now than ever," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel Lasica, U.S. European Command's (USEUCOM) director of plans, strategy and capabilities and ASFR co-chair.

Established in 2010 by Norway and the U.S., the ASFR promotes Arctic cooperation among military forces that operate in and around the region, while also supporting nations that promote peaceful development of the Arctic region and adhere to rules-based international order.

"As NATO's newest member, Finland strengthens our collective defense and enhances our ability to address regional security challenges, particularly in the Arctic," said Norwegian Rear Adm. Solveig Krey, Norwegian Defence Staff's chief of operations and ASFR co-chair.