2015-06-01 Sweden gives support to the United Nations (UN) in order to contribute to global peace, security and development. Through its membership in the European Union (EU) Sweden assumes joint responsibility for the security of Europe and the ability of the EU to promote peaceful and democratic development. Sweden’s cooperation with NATO allows the Swedish Armed Forces to develop military capabilities and, by contributing to qualified international crisis management operations, Sweden contributes to building security together with partners. International defence and security co-operation, in particular Nordic and Baltic cooperation, strengthens the security in our part of world. A strong transatlantic link is crucial for Europe's security. It is in Swedish interests to maintain and further deepen the bilateral relationship with the United States. The deepening of bilateral co-operation with Finland is critical. The co-operation with Finland will cover operational planning and preparations in order to be able to defend the territorial integrity of the respective countries, including the right to self-defence as proclaimed under the Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The Swedish government will commission an expert whom, based on an independent perspective, will prepare a report on various forms of cooperation and/or membership with countries and organisations, as well as the advantages and disadvantages for Swedish defence and security policy, both current and future. The analysis should not evaluate the fact that Sweden is not a member of a military alliance. It will include, for example, the relationship to the Nordic States, Nordic-Baltic and bilateral SwedishFinnish co-operation, as well as the transatlantic link, UN, EU, OSCE and NATO. The analysis aims to clarify the broad approach to our security and to contribute to the deepening of the dialogue and understanding in our country on these issues. A written report will be presented to government within a year of the launch. In its report, the Defence Commission outlined the deteriorating security situation in Europe, particularly in light of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Since the report, developments in the region have continued to worsen. The Defence Commission proposed a number of measures/actions for the Swedish Armed Forces. These included amongst others: a new system for the basic training of squad leaders, soldiers and sailors; upgrades of air defence capabilities; a reorganisation of the land forces into two mechanised brigades; increased presence in the Baltic Sea and on the island of Gotland; increased quality of home guard units; efforts to reinvigorate civil defence; a modern psychological defence; enhanced cyber capabilities and long range precision strike capability. The defence bill now presented to parliament, states that the Swedish Armed Forces, with other parts of the Swedish society, alongside political, diplomatic and economic means, constitutes a threshold against armed attack, or the use of military force to exert pressure on Sweden. A credible military capability to defend against armed aggression contributes to a peace and our political freedom. Our security policy also requires a 2