The Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, General Timo Kivinen will attend the meeting of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels from 17 to 18 January 2024. During his visit, he will also attend the meeting of the Chiefs of Defence of the countries members of the Joint Expeditionary Forces, JEF.
The meeting of the Military Committee will be attended by the Chiefs of Defence of NATO member countries and the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. During the meeting, the topics discussed will include the collective defence of the Alliance and its development as well as issues of strategic importance to the Alliance.
The discussions will focus extensively on various themes, including the advancement of the plans adopted at the Vilnius Summit 2023, the defence industry, preparedness for various threats as well as the war in Ukraine and support provided to Ukraine. The meeting will also discuss the global security situation and prepare for the summit to be held in Washington D.C. in July.
The Military Committee meeting will hold a press conference streamed live on the NATO website. On the website, you can take a look at the more detailed programme of the event.
In conjunction with the Military Committee meeting, General Kivinen will attend the meeting of the Defence Chiefs of the countries members of the JEF which will discuss, among other things, the development of JEF cooperation and support provided to Ukraine.
The Military Committee is responsible for NATO’s highest military decision making and prepares military advice for the decisions of the North Atlantic Council and Nuclear Planning Group, and provides advice to NATO’s two Strategic Commanders. After the North Atlantic Council, the Military Committee is among the Alliance’s most important working bodies. The Military Committee meets regularly with national Military Representatives, and three times a year with Chiefs of Defence. The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee is the Alliance’s highest military official.
The JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force) refers to the UK-led multinational group of countries joined by Finland in 2017. The purpose of JEF cooperation is to develop the participating countries’ military readiness, prevent different types of crisis, and if necessary, to work together in crisis situations. The JEF offers flexible and versatile support to NATO, EU and UN activities. The focus of the JEF’s activities is in the Baltic Sea, the Northern Atlantic and in the High North.
As a proof of commitment to the security of the Baltic Sea Region, the Ministers of Defence of the JEF countries decided in December 2023 to increase the countries’ surveillance and presence in the Baltic Sea Region to strengthen the protection of the underwater infrastructure. The countries conduct common exercises actively as well.
Link to NATO's press release on the Military Committee meeting
