Nordic foreign ministers decided to intensify crisis cooperation
Subsequent to the tsunami catastrophe in Southeast Asia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway have evaluated crisis preparedness at the national level and a number of recommendations have been presented. The recommendations are largely similar, and they propose, for instance, that each Nordic country establish an international operative staff, that each country hold exercises for dealing with situations of crisis and catastrophe, and that each country improve the dissemination of information for, and contacts with, citizens and the media. It is also proposed that local crisis preparedness at embassies be improved and that the technical level of crisis cooperation be raised.
Now agreement was reached on realisation of the crisis preparedness initiative. The embassies of Nordic countries will be sent guidelines urging them to investigate the possibility to arrange joint evacuation plans and exercises and to establish a joint operational centre to deal with crises. Embassies are advised to make agreements as to which embassies provide assistance for Nordic citizens without an embassy in the area. It also makes sense to organise transport home cooperatively. In addition, the foreign ministers agreed on exchange of information, joint exercises and development of warning systems.
Additional information: Pekka Hyvönen, Head of Unit for Consular Services, tel. +358 9 1605 5739, Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs