From 10 to 12 November, National Council president Maja Riniker will travel to Finland and Sweden for a working visit focusing on security and defence. These two Nordic countries, members of NATO since 2023 and 2024 respectively, have been at the forefront of security upheavals in Europe since 2022. Their experience and strategic position make them privileged partners in Switzerland’s considerations of current security issues.

In Helsinki, Ms Riniker and the members of the parliamentary delegation will hold talks with the president of the Finnish Parliament, Jussi Halla-aho, with Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen, and with representatives of the parliamentary parties. Discussions will focus on the current security situation, developments in the security environment – particularly in relation to Russia – support for Ukraine and Finland's commitment to NATO.

The delegation will also visit the Merihaka civil defence shelter, one of the largest shelters in the Finnish capital, which can accommodate up to 6,000 people, as well as the Turva patrol boat, the flagship of Finland’s coastguard fleet. Sharing a 1,340-kilometre land border with Russia, Finland is exposed to threats from Russia, mainly through cyberattacks or sabotage to critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables in the Baltic Sea. Russia has also stepped up its military activity near the border with Finland since the latter joined NATO.

On 11 November, Ms Riniker will travel to Stockholm, where she will be received that evening by the president of the Swedish Parliament, Andreas Norlén. Discussions there will focus on bilateral relations and cooperation, as well as Sweden's security and defence policy, particularly in the context of its membership of NATO and its support for Ukraine.

The following day, Ms Riniker will meet members of the Swedish Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee to discuss regional security issues in greater depth.

Sweden, which has been a NATO member since 2024, is currently strengthening its defence capabilities and cooperation with its Nordic and European partners. Its civil resilience model – which involves local authorities, businesses and citizens in preparing for and managing crises – is of particular interest to Switzerland as it considers its defence and security policy.

Ms Riniker will be accompanied on this working visit by the vice president of the National Council, Pierre-André Page (SVP, FR), National Council members Christine Badertscher (Greens, BE) and Nicolò Paganini (The Centre, SG).

​