Cooperation – we are stronger together

Cooperation of authorities, as well as international cooperation, share competence and work between the actors. Together we are also more efficient.

Persons are pulling a rope on the aft deck of a patrol vessel. Behind them is an icy sea and a Swedish government vessel.

Cooperation of authorities in Finland

The central partners in the cooperation of authorities are the Defence Forces, the Police and the Customs. Furthermore, the Border Guard is in active cooperation with the rest of the public administration.

To maintain border security and to develop military defence readiness, cooperation of authorities has been utilised and the legislation concerning maritime duties developed. 

In sea areas, the threats materialised in form of damages to critical infrastructure. The cable damages that occurred in Finland’s exclusive economic zone were immediately detected, and those involved were reached in cooperation with other authorities.

International Cooperation

During 2024, bilateral cooperation was developed and elaborated, especially with the countries in the Baltic Sea region, in connection with questions relating to critical underwater infrastructure.

Employing European Border and Coast Guard’s standing corps in different operations was central in the EU cooperation, and in Finland especially as support for the control of the border security disruption. The Border Guard fulfilled its obligations to participate to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex, as agreed, and hosted Frontex standing corps which provided support for control of the disruption at the eastern border.

The Border Guard acted as chair of the Baltic Sea Region Border Control Cooperation. During Finland’s chairmanship, the border security in the Baltic Sea region was improved and the cooperation further developed. The Border Guard hosted 16 events, in which border and coast guard authorities of the Baltic Sea region participated.

The common information sharing environment of the European sea areas proceeded, and it will be incorporated into the Border Guard’s systems in 2025.

International cooperation furthers situational awareness, as well as enables providing and receiving bilateral border control support.

The Border Guard controls EU’s external border. Finland’s eastern border is the longest continuous state border on the European Union’s external border.