Finland to Host December EU Eastern Flank Defense Summit

Finland is set to host a high-level summit on December 16 in Helsinki for Eastern European countries, including the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, to strengthen defense cooperation and discuss financing mechanisms within the EU's next multiannual financial framework. The meeting aims to initiate concrete cooperation to bolster the defense of Eastern border countries and advance their collective influence ahead of the December EU summit. This conference marks the EU's first Eastern Flank meeting and highlights ongoing efforts to ensure security in the region amid evolving geopolitical challenges. Alongside this, Finland is deepening its international engagement, exemplified by Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen's visit to Southeast Asia to sign ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and promote economic and security dialogue. These initiatives underscore Finland's strategic role in fostering regional security and international partnerships in both Europe and Southeast Asia.