Chief of Staff of NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Admiral Joachim Rühle visited Finland

The Chief of Staff (COS) of the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Admiral Joachim Rühle, visited Finland from 6 to 7 March 2024. The programme included visits to the Defence Command and to the National Defence University, as well as to a local defence exercise led by the Guard Jaeger Regiment.

The visit was hosted by the Chief of the Defence Command, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen. During the visit, the topics discussed included the progress of the military coordination of Finland's NATO membership and joint strategic planning. At the National Defence University, Admiral Rühle gave a lecture to the students of the General Staff Officer Course and the Staff Officer Course and the teachers, reflecting on his experiences of NATO's change as a result of the war in Ukraine. During his visit, Admiral Rühle also visited a local defence exercise led by the Guard Jaeger Regiment, where he had the opportunity to discuss with conscripts and reservists, among other things. 

Admiral Rühle getting to know the training of the Guard Jaeger Regiment

Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen thanks Admiral Rühle for his support to Finland:

– Admiral Rühle has provided significant support to Finland both during the NATO membership process and during the first year of our membership. It has been an honour to host his visit to Finland. The discussions that have taken place will support the coordination of our cooperation with the NATO Operational Command. I would particularly like to thank Admiral Rühle for his timely and thought-provoking lecture to the students of the General Staff Officer Course and the Staff Officer Course. In the coming years, these students will serve in key positions in the Finnish Defence Forces and in the various structures of the alliance.

Chief of Defence, General Timo Kivinen honored Admiral Joachim Rühle with the Golden Medal of Merit of the Finnish Defence Forces in recognition of very valuable work done for the good of the Finnish Defence Forces

Admiral Joachim Rühle emphasises that Finland's membership has strengthened NATO's common defence:

– It has been a pleasure and honour to visit Finland, and I thank you for the warm welcome I received over the course of my stay. Nearly one year ago, the strength of the Alliance was bolstered by Finland’s accession to NATO. Since then, united as Allies, we have remained steadfast in the defence of the Alliance and committed to our common values. The productive discussions that have taken place over past days reaffirm the depth of our strategic partnership and the shared vision for regional security. It has also been a privilege to exchange ideas with the future leaders of the Finnish Defence Forces. By continuing to share experiences, we forge the bonds that fortify our collective defence, and ensure that our Alliance continues to grow stronger. 
 

_{The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is a command headquarters under NATO's Operations Command (ACO) and the Commander of NATO Forces in Europe (SACEUR). SHAPE is located in the village of Casteau, Belgium.}