Security Committee Visits Brussels to Learn About EU Preparedness and NATO Resilience Initiatives

The Security Committee held a meeting during a study visit to Brussels on 9–10 November 2026. Topics discussed at the Committee meeting included international exercises, the national implementation of the CER Directive, and broader developments within NATO. 

In addition to its meeting, the Security Committee familiarized itself with the European Union’s preparedness efforts and NATO’s evolving resilience work. During the visit, the Committee met, among others, Radmila Shekerinska, Nato Deputy Secretary General, Julien Kita, Director of NATO’s Defence Capability Development and Resilience Division, and Tarja Jaakkola, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Investment, Innovation and Armaments.  

The key message was clear: Finland is a strong ally, and a valued contributor of security. Be open and loud about the Finnish concept for Comprehensive Security, as there is much the Nato allies can learn from you. 

At the EU level, amogst others, the Committee met with Timo Pesonen, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), Ilkka Salmi, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Human Resources and Security (DG HR), and Maciej Popowski, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO). EU’s message to Finland was that we set a golden standard on preparedness. 

Additional information:  

Secretary General Riku Hartikainen firstname.lastname@gov.fi