Finland Times

 

The President Sauli Niinistö was speaking in Kultaranta on Sunday. Photo Lehtikuva.

President Sauli Niinistö on Sunday reiterated his stance for strengthening defence cooperation among the European Union member states as a priority.

 

Speaking at a press conference at his Naantali Gold Beach summer residence on the eve of a two-day discussion on foreign security policy of Finland, the president said NATO could also be an option for international defence cooperation, but the country should have confidence in its self-defence.  

 

The relationship between Russia and Western countries has not deteriorated as much as apprehended, Niinistö pointed out, adding that there however is no clear information on what kind of development is taking place in improving the relations.

 

He said it is politically impossible that the EU would not support a member state in case of a conflicting situation.

 

Niinistö said an open discussion on applying for NATO membership is necessary to review all its positive and negative consequences.

 

He said Monday’s discussion would focus on the present situation of Russia, which could undoubtedly be helpful in taking decision on foreign security policy and the issue of NATO partnership.

 

Ministers and senior politicians in the discussion. Photo Lehtikuva.

Niinistö also urged all to ignore the aggressive remarks that Sergei Markov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin made against Finland.

 

In an interview with the Hufvudstadsbladet, Markov warned about the dangers of Finnish membership in NATO and said Finland is one of the anti-Russian countries in Europe. 

 

Meanwhile, a large number of foreign security experts have gathered in Kultaranta to take part in the dialogue to make recommendations on the country’s future foreign policy in the changed situation.

 

News agency Xinhua adds: Sauli Niinisto on Sunday said everything should be done to mend the damage done to the European security system in recent months. 

 

He said Finland has lived 70 years in peace as a neighbour to Russia and has benefited from it. The stability in the eastern direction has furthered Finnish economy, despite difficult periods, he added. 

 

The Finnish president made the remarks on the eve of the arrival in Finland of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. 

 

Asked to comment on the president’s speech on national TV, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said diplomacy would have to include a review of the delinquency that caused the damage, adding that actions of all sides should be looked at critically. 

 

Tuomioja said Finland has no role to play as a mediator. “We are a member of the European Union. But we want as well that not only the relations between Finland and Russia are on a good standing but also that the current mistrust between the European Union and Russia could be overcome. But it requires that what has been agreed in order to ease the Ukraine crisis will be adhered to.”

 

In contrast to weeks of domestic debates concerning a possible Finnish membership in NATO, Niinisto only mentioned NATO once in his speech, but took up European cooperation in defence. He described NATO as a possibility that also has its requirements and repercussions.

 

Olli Rehn and Jari Tervo (left) took part in the foreign policy discussion.Photo Lehtikuva.

During the thaw after the Cold War, many European countries reduced their defence output, while Finland did not. He noted that a process of rethinking was underway in some European countries.

 

In Finland, public support for a NATO membership was at 22 per cent in April, while 59 per cent were opposed. But there are increasingly vocal statements in favour of the NATO option, mainly amongst conservative politicians.

 

In an interview at the end of May, the president commented that the Russian view should be considered. With Finnish membership, the land border between Russia and NATO would double in length and half of it would be with Finland, he said.

 

If Sweden would also join, the Baltic would be a sea within NATO, he pointed out.

 

Finland and Sweden are currently partners of NATO. Niinisto said both countries have submitted suggestions to NATO about their future relationship with the alliance.

 

Earlier on June 5, Niinistö said Finland has more options with regard to its security policy than necessarily seeking alignment or joining the military alliance NATO.

 

Speaking at a meeting of an Association of Editors-in-chief in Helsinki, the president emphasised the need for the country to develop its own defence cooperation, despite the fact that many EU states are members of the NATO alliance.

 

On May 31, Niinistö said a detailed review should take place before taking any decision regarding Finland’s stand on joining NATO.

 

Speaking at the Yle Ykkösaamu (Yle morning breakfast programme), the president also said that the issue should be put to a national consensus through public voting before taking any decision.

 

Earlier, on May 13, the heads of Finnish political parties expressed support for continuing the non-alliance stance in the country’s foreign security and defence policy and said the Ukraine crisis has not changed the position on need for NATO membership.