Chief of the Defence Command visited Belgium

Chief of the Defence Command Finland, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen, visited Belgium on 25–27 February and met with the military leadership of NATO and the EU. The discussions focused on the security situation in Europe, the progress of Finland's integration into NATO and the development of NATO's permanent presence in Finland.

In Brussels, the Chief of the Defence Command met with the the Director General of the European Union Military Staff, Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan, and the Director General of the NATO International Military Staff, Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak. The discussions focused on the current security situation and the role of NATO and the EU in ensuring security in Europe and developing military preparedness. In addition, the Chief of the Defence Command met with Ambassador Jori Arvonen, Head of Finland's Representation to the EU, and Ambassador Piritta Asunmaa, Head of Finland's Representation to NATO.

In Mons, the Chief of the Defence Command met with General Markus Laubenthal, Chief of Staff of NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE). The Chief of the Defence Command reported on the state of preparations for the build up of the Multi-Corps Land Component Command (MCLCC) in Mikkeli and the FLF troops in Northern Finland. In addition, the progress of Finland's integration of NATO in the operational planning and preparation of NATO's future solutions for the command structure was discussed. 

”In the current security situation, it is important to maintain a common situational awareness with NATO and the EU's military leadership. Finland's integration into NATO is progressing well. NATO's permanent presence in Finland, the MCLCC in Mikkeli and the FLF force in northern Finland will increase security both for Finland and for the entire alliance”, the Chief of the Defence Command stated.

Lieutenant General Virtanen also inspected Finland's national military representations in the EU, NATO headquarters and the NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE).

”The number of Finnish employees, both military and civilian, in various structures is increasing systematically. We fill positions in advance with regard to the carrying capacity of our personnel system. Personnel who are deployed can be proud of their work, which serves both Finland and the whole of Western community. For the Defence Forces, it is important that the personnel have good conditions to carry out their tasks, and this is also largely related to the fact that families are happy in the new environments. Based on my experience, this is generally working well. We are constantly gathering experiences to improve in this field”, Virtanen concluded.