Towards a better prepared and more resilient EU

Following multiple crises in recent years and the changed security landscape in Europe, most notably the unprovoked war of aggression by Russia in Ukraine, it has become clear that the EU and Europeans must become more prepared and more resilient. This is why Finland has been actively advocating for an EU Preparedness Strategy, introduced on 26 March by the European Commission.

Crises often times do not recognise borders. Several crises in recent years such as the Covid-19 pandemic, floods, forest fires and other climate related natural disasters as well as hybrid attacks and Russia’s war of aggression have demonstrated that the EU could do better in coordinated, comprehensive crisis response.

Improving comprehensive security in Europe is one of Finnish Government’s EU priorities. Finland has advocated that the EU must improve military preparedness, as well as invest in societal preparedness.
 

Stategy to strengthen Europe’s civilian and military preparedness

The Preparedness Union Strategy, presented on 26 March by European Commission Vice President Roxana Minzatu and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, draws from last year’s report(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) by President Sauli Niinistö on preparedness and readiness of the EU. The report concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges is a matter of urgency. 

The goals of the 17-page long strategy include e.g. developing an EU comprehensive risks and threat assessment, strengthening the resilience of the society as well as protecting our citizens and encouraging population preparedness. Moreover, the EU must promote better civil-military cooperation including enhanced EU-NATO cooperation as well as the cooperation with the private sector.

The strategy lists 30 key actions in its Action plan, laying the groundwork for developing a ‘preparedness by design culture' cross-cutting all EU policies.

The strategy will also induce practical recommendations towards citizens, who are recommended to stockpile enough water, food and other necessities to last for at least 72 hours in their homes in case of an emergency. The strategy also advises enhancing shelter availability for the citizens during a crisis.

Finland as a model for European preparedness

For Finland, a country which has civil defense shelters for about 4.8 million of its 5.6 million people(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.),  and recommendations on how to act in the first 72 hours(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) of a crisis in place, the strategy may sound familiar.

With its internationally recognised concept of comprehensive security and model for preparedness, Finland can certainly serve as a point of reference for future work in enhancing European preparedness.