Šiaurės ministrų tarybos biuras Lietuvoje

Finland, together with Åland, holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. The aim for Finland and Åland’s Presidency is to support the shared vision of the Nordic region as the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. An important priority during the Presidency is also to strengthen the resilience of the Nordic countries and to promote comprehensive and extensive preparedness for various civilian crises and hybrid threats.

Nordic-Baltic cooperation plays a pivotal role in strengthening collective security and prosperity across the region. In an era defined by the war in Ukraine, shifting geopolitical landscapes, increasingly frequent natural disasters, and evolving hybrid threats, the urgency for enhanced preparedness, coordination, and societal resilience has never been greater.

Recognizing this critical need, representatives from the Nordic Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania will come together for the panel discussion “Stronger Together: Trust and Resilience as Pillars of a Secure Nordic-Baltic Future.” They will share key insights, exchange best practices, and explore new opportunities for collaboration to build a safer, more resilient future for all.

Programme

14:30 The doors open

15:00 Welcome Address

Helén Nilsson, director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania
H.E. Ambassador Jaakko Lehtovirta, Embassy of Finland in Vilnius

15:10 Programme for the Finnish and Åland co-presidency. The Nordics in 2025: United and Strong. Ann-Sofie Stude, Head of the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

15:25 Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania: Focus in 2025. Helén Nilsson, director of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania

15:40 Panel discussion “Stronger Together: Trust and Resilience as Pillars of a Secure Nordic-Baltic Future”

Maria Stockhaus, Vice-President of the Nordic Council
Annukka Ylivaara, Assistant Secretary General of the Security Committee, Finland
Sigitas Mitkus, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania
Ann-Sofie Stude, Head of the Secretariat for Nordic Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
Moderator: Linas Kojala, Geopolitics and Security Studies Center

16:40 Q&A session

The event is organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania in cooperation with Embassy of Finland in Vilnius and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.