Cooperation – Something old, something blue, something new

The Border Guard is a part of the European Border and Coast Guard and participates in the execution of the European Union’s Border Management. Our NATO alliance develops the cooperation towards the alliance as part of the military defence. Moreover, the Border Guard became a partner in the European Gendarmerie Force.

Nato JFC Norfolk Commander, Vice Admiral Douglas Perry, got acquainted with the Finnish Border Guard in December.

Participation in the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex operations and receiving support have extended our responsibilities. Frontex personnel has been positioned on Finnish borders to support border security all year round. Correspondingly, members of our own personnel have been assigned to Frontex operations increasing stability in Europe in accordance with agreed participation obligations. A Frontex plane has participated in the surveillance of the Finnish sea area.

Furthermore, the multipurpose maritime operation MMO 2025 has strengthened the surveillance of the maritime operational environment. European Maritime Safety Agency EMSA’s unmanned aircraft operated from Finland in summer 2025 and conveyed shared maritime situational picture for several Baltic Sea countries. Compiling shared situational picture advanced in the CISE project, as we engaged partner states in the Baltic Sea region to exchange shared maritime situational awareness.

EMSA supported the Border Guard with an unmanned aircraft system in the summer.

In December, the Border Guard joined the European Gendarmerie Force EUROGENDFOR. This force consists of militarily organised law enforcement authorities. The membership enables us to develop cooperation with EUROGENDFOR and its organisations. This cooperation develops the Border Guard’s capabilities. 

Chief of the Finnish Border Guard, Vice Admiral Hassinen, greets the Italian Guardia di Finanza at the EUROGENDFOR meeting on 1 October 2025.

In the spring, the Border Guard participated in an arctic search and rescue exercise in Tromsø sea area. Furthermore, the Border Guard has started the planning of the following Arctic Coast Guard Forum exercise.