Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says that roughly 100 people from Finland have joined the IS troops. About 20 of them have died. The news was first reported by Ilta-Sanomat. The police have been able to confirm a figure of 70 people, but in reality more have joined the IS. According to Minister Soini, Finland must prepare for the possible return of the fighters. Finland naturally wants to stop them from doing anything radical or from recruiting others.

Media:  STT Mediapankki 

Date: 14.3.2016

Journalist: STT

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, the sanctions against Russia are not cancelled: there is no disagreement over the issue in the EU. Minister Soini says that EU Foreign Ministers are dissatisfied because the situation between Ukraine and Russia does not seem to improve. He adds that Finland’s agriculture is not in trouble due to EU’s sanctions but due to Russia’s counter sanctions. Furthermore, Minister Soini says he is concerned over Syria and the growth of IS. He also fears that once the border to Greece is closed, refugees start flowing into Lambedusa. Now, it is important to convey the message that only those who are in real need of asylum are taken into Europe.

President Sauli Niinistö has praised the economic relations between Finland and Japan. The President visited Japan last week, and he said that Japan is one of Finland’s most important partners outside the EU. Japanese companies are also significant investors in Finland. According to President Niinistö, these investments have turned out successful in recent years. The Japanese Itochu is a shareholder in Metsä Fibre, which is building a giant bio product plant in Äänekoski, and Softbank from Japan has bought the majority in Supercell.

Media:  Keskisuomalainen 

Date: 10.3.2016

Journalist: STT

Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

The American Foreign Policy discussed Finland’s special relationship with Russia in its latest issue. Foreign Affairs Minister Timo Soini says in the newspaper’s interview that Finland must know where it stands. « As a small country we know that when big countries fight it is better to be in the audience than in the ring, » he says. It is extremely important to maintain good relations with Russia, he continues. According to Minister Soini, he can never underestimate Russia’s military power and decision making skills. « If it decides to do something, it will, » he points out. No western country can compete with Russia’s determination, and we must remember this at all times. In Foreign Policy, Minister Soini calls Russia a country full of chess players. « Whether we like it or not, they will make moves that are best for them. »

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini thinks the result of the EU-Turkey summit is a definition of policy rather than a breakthrough. « A small step ahead but we still have a long way to go, » Soini said in the Huomenta Suomi morning TV show. The biggest problem in EU’s refugee policy has been the implementation of decisions. Minister Soini thinks that the relocation of 160,000 refugees has been a complete failure. A total of 500 – 600 refugees have been relocated. Finland wants to stop the flow of refugees. Minister Soini thinks that the original causes of the problem should be affected, such as human trafficking. He adds that EU countries must see to that Turkey implements the agreed measures.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini believes that if the EU cannot agree on issues, member states will start limiting the number of asylum seekers, and Finland is no exception to this. Minister Soini told news agency STT that also Finland could set a daily limit to the number of asylum seekers arriving in the country in the future. According to him, Europe cannot withstand the current situation for long. So far, at least Austria, Slovenia and Croatia have set daily limits to asylum seekers.

Media:  Keskisuomalainen 

Date: 2.3.2016

Journalist: STT

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

HS writes that in this government term, foreign and security policy has become as important as financial policy in Finland. The EU is crumbling: first the euro crisis, then the asylum seekers and soon the UK votes on EU membership. Russia has become an unpredictable neighbour and the international situation has become more complicated. So far, the Sipilä government and President Sauli Niinistö have collaborated well in foreign and security policy. The government has let the President take the role of the leader in the sector. The policy will be in focus later this year as the government showcases its foreign and security policy report to the Parliament. Also in the EU, financial issues have become less important as foreign and security policy concerns have been on top of the agenda.

Foreign Affairs Minister Timo Soini commented on the military drill to be held this spring, in which US army vehicles will also participate. According to Minister Soini, Finland does not aim to show off. However, he pointed out that Finland has always been very keen to defend itself. When asked what kind of message the US army vehicles’ visit would send to Russia, Minister Soini said that the message is that Finland takes care of its own defence and looks after its competence. According to Minister Soini, Finland’s collaboration with the United States has increased but Finland is still in charge of its own defence.