MEPs Study Finland’s Security Model

A delegation of six European Parliament members has completed a three-day fact-finding mission to Helsinki focused on Finland’s preparedness, civil protection and internal security policies. The visit, held from Sept. 21 to 23, examined how the country protects its population and maintains essential services during emergencies, accidents or military conflict.

The delegation visited the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, where members were briefed on disinformation, sabotage, election interference and the instrumentalisation of migrants. They also toured the Merihaka Civil Defence Shelter, an underground facility that can accommodate 6,000 people and be converted for emergency use within 72 hours.

Meetings with Finnish Interior Ministry officials, the Border Guard, the Security and Intelligence Service and the National Bureau of Investigation covered border security, intelligence gathering and crime trends. Officials also discussed Finland’s cooperation with European partners, its border fence project and the closure of its borders to certain crossings since October 2023.

The lawmakers visited businesses involved in cybersecurity, telecommunications resilience, shelter construction and anti-drone technology, as well as Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency. Delegation leader Paulo Cunha said Finland’s experience as a neighboring country to Russia demonstrated the importance of a “whole-of-society approach” to resilience and offered lessons for strengthening civil protection across the European Union.