Avsiktsförklaring om att stärka samarbetet avseende civil beredskap och samhällets motståndskraft mellan Sverige och Danmark

LETTER OF INTENT

ON

ENHANCED COOPERATION ON CIVIL PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE

BETWEEN

SWEDEN AND DENMARK

Allinge, Bornholm, June 12, 2025

The deteriorating security situation in the Baltic Sea Region after Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine underlines the need for closer cooperation between allies to increase both deterrence in our region and resilience in our societies. Sweden and Denmark will in light of the concerning risk and security situation in Europe and beyond – and as close allies and neighbours – enhance our cooperation on civil preparedness and resilience. We will share knowledge and best practice and strive to learn from each other to be better prepared to prevent and manage crises, conflicts and worst-case scenarios such as armed aggression. We need preparedness and strength not to wage war, but to maintain peace.

While civil preparedness and resilience is primarily an area of national competence, enhanced bilateral cooperation underpins and reinforces the work being done within the framework of EU, NATO and the Nordic Haga Cooperation. It will be supported by regular bilateral consultations. EU strategies, including the EU Preparedness Union Strategy, will constitute an important basis for the strengthened preparedness and resilience cooperation.

Bilaterally, Sweden and Denmark commit to enhance our cooperation on a range of topics:

• Civil preparedness : Sweden and Denmark will continue to strengthen the cooperation on civil preparedness and protection of civilians in general, especially by sharing knowledge about concepts for civil protection and total preparedness, including matters such as public warning, civil defence shelters, preparedness guides and public-private cooperation.

• Societal resilience : Sweden and Denmark share the ambition to develop whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches to strengthen societal resilience. We will share best practices to build resilience across municipalities, government agencies, and public-private sectors.

• Security of supply: Sweden and Denmark will strengthen cooperation on security of supply to support societal resilience and safeguard societal vital functions. Sweden and Denmark will enhance coordination and share best practices on risk assessments, continuity planning, and strategic stockpiling of critical goods and services in times of crisis.

• Hybrid threats and critical infrastructure : Sweden and Denmark share concerns over the current threat and risk picture both of our countries face, especially with regard to hybrid threats, including cyberattacks and sabotage. These threats can affect all levels of society, including citizens and the public and private sectors. Sweden and Denmark will therefore aim at strengthening the cooperation and knowledge sharing on cyber security. Sweden and Denmark will also strengthen the cooperation on mitigating hybrid threats, not least in regard to critical infrastructure and especially in the Baltic Sea and other adjoining waters.

• Rescue services : Sweden and Denmark will continue to enhance the cooperation with regard to rescue services. This includes emergency response in times of crisis, for instance within the framework of NordRed, such as providing relevant material when one country has acute need of this capacity, knowledge sharing, and exercises in various areas of rescue services.

• Ukraine : Sweden and Denmark reiterate their resolute condemnation of and Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and reaffirm their unwavering support to Ukraine. Sweden and Denmark will continue efforts to assist Ukraine with equipment for civil protection, donations, including the field of training and education of firefighters and personnel for civil protection, including civil defence. These efforts will also be discussed and developed in cooperation with other Nordic countries. Sweden and Denmark will also share knowledge about lessons learned from the war and discuss how to apply them in our own countries.

• The Øresund region : Given the importance of the Øresund region for Sweden and Denmark – with a big population, important transport routes, critical infrastructure, and level of integration in terms of employment and housing – continued and increased cooperation between regional and local authorities and actors will be a key priority in strengthening resilience in the region.

This Letter of Intent does not constitute a legally binding commitment under international or national law, and commitments are subject to national procedures and decisions.

Carl-Oskar Bohlin Torsten Schack Pedersen

Minister for Civil Defence Minister of Resilience and Preparedness of Sweden of Denmark