Chief of the Defence Command visited SHAPE and Brunssum

The Chief of the Defence Command, Lieutenant General Vesa Virtanen visited NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and NATO Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) 26–27 July.

At Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Lieutenant General Virtanen was received by Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral Keith Blount and the Chief of Staff of SHAPE, Admiral Joachim Rühle. 

– The discussions with Admiral Blunt and Admiral Rühle included, among other things, the current safety situation, NATO’s command structure and the progress of the integration process. Our open dialogue advances both Finland’s and the Alliance’s objectives, Lieutenant General Virtanen emphasized. 

On his visit to Brunssum, the Chief of the Defence Command, Lieutenant General Virtanen met the Chief of Staff of Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, Lieutenant General Krzysztof Król and participated in round table discussions. The topics discussed included, among others, the current safety situation as well as the security and defence of the northern areas. 

Lieutenant General Virtanen describes his visit to Brunssum as a good opportunity to discuss the defence of the eastern areas of the Alliance. 

– Our discussions involving NATO’s collective defence were rewarding. We will safeguard the Baltic Sea and the Nordic region as part of NATO with our own strong defence. Our interests are shared, and our deep cooperation in these areas will continue. These meetings are valuable both for Finland and NATO. 

During his visit, the Chief of the Defence Command also became acquainted with the NATO Early Warning and Control Force Headquarters. The programme also included a visit to the Permanent Representation of Finland to NATO. 

_{Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) is the command headquarters of NATO’s Allied Command Operations (ACO) and subordinate to the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). SHAPE is located in the village of Casteau, Belgium.} 

_{Joint Forces Command Brunssum (JFCBS) located in the Netherlands is one of NATO’s three operational level commands. JFCBS plans, executes and supports the Alliance’s military operations in its area of responsibilities.}