National Emergency Supply Agency / International Co-operation

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International co-operation constitutes an essential aspect of ensuring the national security of supply. This is a natural consequence of increased international openness and transnational business networking brought about by globalisation. Furthermore, Finland's accession to multilateral organizations and the country's active participation in their activities have also increased the importance of successful international co-operation in respect of security of supply. This is the reason why security of supply is being promoted by international co-operation on many levels.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO, has a large civil sector. Committees composed of national representatives plan the use of the civil society's resources in the organisation's work. Topical subjects are land, sea and air transport, telecommunications, industrial production, medical care, environment conservation, food and agriculture.

Community legislation binding the Member States and inter-governmental co-operation constitute the foundation of EU's activities. So far, Community legislation does not cover security of supply matters in any comprehensive way, although the importance of this subject is emphasized in the Union's strategic plans. Oil products constitute an exception. A directive provides that Member States shall stockpile a quantity corresponding to 90 days consumption.

EU-legislation concerning the electricity and gas markets contains the concept "security of supply". The EU concept includes some of the aspects covered by the same Finnish term.

Finland endeavours to have security of supply matters raised for comprehensive examination on a Union level. The approach is to ensure functioning markets under emergency conditions as well.

The Agreement on the International Energy Program (the IEP-Agreement) contains an obligation to maintain stockpiles of oil products that correspond to 90 day's net imports. In Finland these obligations are met by companies' compulsory stockpiling of imported fuels and by the State's security of supply stockpiles. The Agreement includes an international system for oil sharing. Its purpose is to equalize each contracting party's share in case of supply disturbances.

Finland and Sweden have concluded a bilateral agreement on economic co-operation in international emergency situations. However, the implementation of the agreement is interrupted because of organizational reforms in Sweden. National security of supply authorities pursue negotiations for the purpose of modernizing the agreement to meet today's threats.

Finland and Norway have negotiated a bilateral agreement on security of supply, which has been signed in april 2005.

The stockpiling obligation imposed by the EU can also be met by stockpiling products in another Member State. This obligation requires bilateral agreements concerning the administration. At the moment, Finland has concluded such an agreement with Sweden.