NORDIC DEFENCE COOPERATION -
Goals of the Finnish Presidency 2009
1. Background
Finland will hold the chairmanship for Nordic Defence Cooperation in 2009. As Chairman, Finland is responsible for the overall development and coordination of Nordic cooperation in the field of defence.
The goals of the presidency are:
• to start NORDSUP cooperation especially in force production and support functions with the aim of releasing resources for the development of national operational capabilities,
• to form a joint steering and coordination mechanism for the NORDSUP-NORDAC-NORDCAPS structures
• to determine concrete possibilities for cooperation to support the development of Africa’s crisis management resources and
• to include the aspect of comprehensive approach in the planning and implementation of the Nordic ACB initiatives.
2. Goals of the Presidency
Nordic Supportive Defence Structures (NORDSUP) Cooperation
The most important focal point of the Finnish Presidency is the launch of the NORDSUP cooperation at the steering, coordination and implementation levels. A NORDSUP Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Ministers of Defence at the Ministers’ meeting on Bornholm.
Through the MoU, the NORDSUP Steering Committee was established. In addition, the Steering Committee was given the task of creating the necessary mechanisms for coordination and implementation between the Ministries of Defence and Defence Commands. The Steering Committee will begin its work by agreeing on the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the cooperation.
The report presenting concrete possibilities for cooperation that was drawn up on the initiative by the Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish Chiefs of Defence was presented in June 2008. The report identifies 140 possible areas of cooperation, of which approximately 40 are estimated to be started and/or implemented during 2009.
Goals:
• Agreeing on the ToR for NORDSUP in order to form the basis for the cooperation and its aims, structures and procedures for reporting. The ToR will be approved at the Steering Committee’s first meeting in January 2009.
• Starting up and/or implementing the 48 areas of cooperation identified in the 2008 report as well as developing an action plan for NORDSUP for 2010. The action plan will be presented for approval at the Ministerial meeting in autumn 2009 and a progress report on the activities taken in 2009 will be presented at the ministerial meeting in the spring of 2010.
• Identifying NORDSUP ministerial level areas of cooperation.
The Restructuring of the Nordic Defence Cooperation
The Defence Ministers tasked the Nordic Defence Policy Directors to investigate the possibilities for forming a common steering and coordination mechanism for NORDSUP-NORDAC-NORDCAPS structures. A clear division of labour and areas of responsibility is needed to ensure the efficiency and productivity of Nordic defence cooperation. A common steering and coordination mechanism for all three structures will ensure that resources are not used for overlapping tasks.
Goals:
• The Defence Policy Directors will establish a Task Force with a task of presenting a model for the reorganisation of Nordic defence cooperation. The Task Force will report on the progress of the work to the Defence Policy Directors at their meeting in spring 2009.
• The aim is that the decision to adapt a new Nordic defence cooperation structure will be taken by the Defence Ministers during the spring of 2009.
Supporting the Development of African Crisis Management Capabilities
The possibilities for the Nordic cooperation have been presented in the NORDCAPS Steering Group’s report “Nordic Report identifying concrete potential projects for Nordic cooperation on Peace Support Operation capacity building in Africa”. At the Defence Ministers’ meeting on Bornholm in November 2008, it was decided that Finland will be responsible for peace support operations (PSO) courses, Norway for the support to naval and coast guard capacities and Denmark for the coordination of the support to EASBRIG. During her chairmanship, Finland will support the development and progress of these projects.
The East Africa support projects were discussed in Helsinki on 22 January 2009. A working group will be established under NORDCAPS to coordinate the Nordic ACB initiatives. Its first goal will be to create prerequisites for a Nordic Advisory and Coordinating Staff (NACS) to be placed in Nairobi. In the beginning, the aim is to place one officer from each Nordic country in the NACS. The NACS will begin its work in the spring of 2009. The possibilities for supporting the civilian element of East African Standby Force will also be investigated. In April 2009, a workshop will be organised to agree on the way ahead for the Nordic cooperation in East Africa.
Goals:
• To continue the Nordic cooperation to develop independent African crisis management capabilities. The aim is to start the implementation of the initiatives identified in the NSG report during 2009. A progress report will be presented to the Ministers of Defence at their meetings in the spring and autumn.
• To draw aims for the Nordic EASBRIG support emphasising the long-term development of capabilities.
• To continue to investigate the possibility of establishing a joint Nordic crisis management force within a UN operation in Africa. The results of the investigation will be reported at the Defence Ministers’ meeting in autumn 2009.
Comprehensive Approach
The Nordic countries are developing concepts for and approaches to comprehensive crisis management both from a multinational and national perspective. Sharing of information among different actors is essential when dealing with a comprehensive approach to crisis management. During Finland’s chairmanship, the theme of comprehensive approach will be linked with the support to African crisis management resources.
The need for and importance of comprehensive crisis management has become all the more evident. Many conflicts have their roots in multidimensional problems, which are impossible to solve by military means alone. Managing conflicts requires long-term commitment, extensive cooperation between various actors and the versatile use of all the measures available.
To give an example, the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre (FINCENT) and the Crisis Management Centre Finland (CMC Finland) have founded a centre of excellence with the aim of developing training and increasing understanding related to comprehensive crisis management. Similar projects are under way also in the other Nordic countries. As a joint Nordic project, a joint course realised by Nordic centres of excellence in Africa might be considered.
Goals:
• Reinforcing the sharing of information and coordination of functions between the Nordic actors.
• Including the aspect of comprehensive approach in the planning and implementation of the Nordic ACB initiatives.