Agreement on police cooperation between Finland and Sweden to enter into force in the beginning of February

The Government has issued a decree bringing into force the agreement on police cooperation in the border area between Finland and Sweden. The agreement will enter into force on 1 February 2025.

The agreement on police cooperation in the border area between Finland and Sweden will further improve the maintenance of security in the northern border area. Under the agreement, authorities may, under certain conditions, cross the border between the countries and take measures to prevent a serious offence.

The agreement will be applied in Finland in the territories of the municipalities of Enontekiö, Kolari, Muonio, Pello, Tornio and Ylitornio. In Sweden, the agreement will be applied in the territories of the municipalities of Haparanda, Kiruna, Pajala and Övertorneå.

The President of the Republic approved the agreement on 17 May 2024, after which Finland and Sweden exchanged notes on the approval. The agreement is now brought into force by government decree.

Agreement covers urgent situations related to prevention of serious crime

The purpose of the agreement is to further improve the maintenance of public order and security and the prevention and investigation of offences in the border area.

The agreement contains provisions on urgent measures to be carried out on request and without a request. In both cases, an authority of the other state may cross the border and take measures only if this is necessary to prevent a serious criminal offence involving danger to the life, health or physical integrity of an individual. Such serious offences are rape, aggravated assault and homicide, for example.

The provision of assistance referred to in the agreement is voluntary. The activities under the agreement will begin next year after the relevant personnel of the police departments participating in the cooperation have been trained and other necessary arrangements have been agreed on with Sweden. 

Inquiries:

Hannele Taavila, Police Director, tel. +358 295 488 568, firstname.lastname@gov.fi