Nordic cooperation
This page provides some examples of how MSB cooperates with its Nordic neighbours, be it bilaterally or in the context of the Haga framework.
Sweden’s current cooperation with its Nordic neighbours has deep historical roots. Geographic, cultural, and linguistic proximity as well as common values in terms of democracy and equality form the basis for a longstanding, increasingly fruitful cooperation. In light of the security situation that Europe faces today, maintaining and building on the Nordic partnership is a priority for Sweden, including MSB.
The ‘Haga’ cooperation
In April of 2009, the Nordic ministers responsible for civil protection and preparedness met at Haga Palace in Stockholm to deliberate on how to deepen and broaden their respective nation’s cooperation within the fields of civil protection and preparedness.
Out of the 2009 meeting came the first of what are today three ‘Haga’ declarations (“Haga I”). Four years later, in 2013, a second declaration (“Haga II”) was adopted under the Swedish chairmanship of Haga. In light of the developing security situation in Europe and given the fact that all Nordic countries, including Sweden, were members of NATO, ministers convened for a third time, in November 2024, to adopt the “Haga III” declaration.
The Haga priorities
Through this latest declaration, “Haga III”, the responsible Nordic ministers called for enhanced and more coordinated Nordic cooperation in a number of closely interwoven areas, including civil preparedness, civil protection and resilience. The declaration sets out the following specific aims:
- To continue to strengthen Nordic coordination and political guidance on joint planning and exercises within the fields of civil preparedness, civil protection and resilience;
- To bring forward common initiatives taking into account relevant NATO and EU policies/initiatives, as well as those in other relevant international fora;
- To facilitate and strengthen Nordic civil-military cooperation through NORDEFCO (the Nordic Defence Cooperation);
- To support the involvement of the civil sector in relevant Host Nation Support actions;
- To engage in joint civil-military activities in the realm of exercises, protection of the civil population and continuity of critical services; and
- Increase information sharing at Nordic level in relation to respective international civil protection missions, donations, and other support initiatives in order to increase overall Nordic operational effect and to fully exploit Nordic synergies.
Nordic meetings at different levels, including the DG level
In order to advance Nordic cooperation, the directors-general for MSB and all other equivalent counterpart authorities in the other Nordic countries meet at least once a year to discuss, for instance, priority areas of cooperation and topical issues. The chairmanship of these meetings alternates between the Nordic countries. During 2025, Finland holds the chairmanship. Nordic meetings at other levels, including expert level, take place on a regular basis.
Bilateral cooperation with Finland
Sweden and Finland have enjoyed close working relations for many years. In order to further strengthen these ties, the Governments of Sweden and Finland signed a joint declaration on Swedish-Finnish cooperation on 16 September 2024. This joint declaration allows MSB and its Finnish counterpart to further deepen their cooperation in different areas of mutual interest, including civil protection and security of supply.