Auteur/autrice : David

High Representative Mogherini visited Finland

Summary:
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini visited Finland on Wednesday and met with Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipilä, among others. According to Ms Mogherini, Finland’s presidency of the Council of the EU will be exceptionally important, as we are living in a time of change within Europe. She said that during that time, the EU will need leadership, which Finland will certainly show.

Mr Sipilä defined some of the main challenges as the European Parliament elections, forming the new European Commission and Brexit negotiations. Also the budget framework will require a great amount of work.

Finland will start as the presidency next summer. In addition to Finland’s Presidency in the European Union, they discussed hybrid threats, immigration and climate change, among other things.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat, Ilkka
Date: 10.10.2018
Journalist:
Main source:

Trump and Putin might meet in Finland next year

Summary:
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the preparations for the Arctic Council Summit, in which Presidents Putin and Trump might also take part, are well on their way. The planners are already planning on possible dates in spring 2019.

President Sauli Niinistö commented on the summit, saying that the United States seems to have become more interested in it. He said that things have advanced towards a better direction, surprisingly. He says that if the summit participants will be from the higher level, the participants will determine the date of the summit.

According to the President, it is certain that some kind of high-level meeting will be held. At least the traditional foreign ministers’ summit is certainly held, and possibly a summit on the higher or lower level. He thinks that the IPCC report will boost the stakes of the summit.

He finds that a central point is that the summit’s agenda can be approved by the United States, Russia and other countries. Issues planned on the agenda include black carbon, sea safety and heavy fuel ban on arctic area sea transport.

President Niinistö had talked about the summit for a long time and has discussed it with Presidents Putin and Trump as well as with other state leaders. Finland is the chair of the Arctic Council until May 2019, which is the deadline for the summit.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 10.10.2018
Journalist: Teemu Luukka
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs warns about hard Brexit

Summary:
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has warned the Finnish business life of a hard Brexit. Terhi Bunders, a Brexit contact person at the Ministry, says that they aim to raise awareness of all alternatives.

Jussi Mustonen of Confederation of Finnish Industries EK points out that the impact of soft Brexit on Finland’s gross domestic product is approximately 0.1-0.2% while in a hard Brexit, the GDP could be cut by 0.3%. According to Mr Mustonen, it would not make Finland fall, but it is awkward and harmful to Finland’s economy.

Juha Kilponen of the Bank of Finland adds that even if there were major problems with trade after Brexit, it would not be a blow to Finland, because only 5% of Finnish export goes to the UK. If uncertainty over the Brexit agreement persists, it could cause problems if it affected the financial markets. An uncontrolled Brexit would also weaken Finland’s growth outlook.

In Finland, particularly the forest industry is worried about Brexit. The industry fears that tariffs will significantly rise from the current zero. However, based on the most recent information, paper, cardboard and pulp would avoid tariffs even if there was no deal on Brexit.

The uncertainty over Brexit is however already affecting some businesses, such as the health technology sector. For example Planmeca, which has noticed a decline in demand, is following the Brexit negotiations with concern.

Media:  Ilkka , YLE Uutiset
Date: 2.10.2018
Journalist: –
Main source: Terhi Bunders, Jussi Mustonen, Juha Kilponen

Alexander Stubb to run for European Commission Presidency

Summary:
Vice President of the European Investment Bank Alexander Stubb has signed up for the race over the European People’s Party Spitzenkandidat and European Commission Presidency in the next European Elections. He said that he signed up for the race because of concern and love for Europe and concern and love for the world and world politics.

He thinks that liberalism is facing an attack, and Europe needs to defend its values, international law and system as well as facts. What comes to the technological revolution, he thinks that Europe needs to take measures through rules and legislation.

If Mr Stubb succeeds, he will be in the highest position in international politics than any other Finn ever. Mr Stubb compared the race with the triathlon, and said that he takes it one step at a time. According to Mr Stubb, he joined the race for three reasons. He wants to defend European values, he thinks this is the moment of Europe and thirdly, he wants to bring Nordic practicality to EU decision making as Commission President. Mr Stubb said he has support from all over Europe.

The race over the Spitzenkandidat position of the European Parliament’s biggest group EPP will be a battle between a German conservative and Finnish value liberal, that is at least how Mr Stubb described it.

Manfred Weber is more conservative than Mr Stubb and that might be why Mr Stubb decided to emphasise liberal democractic values in his campaign. Most Germans are likely to vote for Mr Weber, but the question is what the other countries do in the EPP vote. Mr Stubb has an asset against the German candidate, as some think that Germany already has enough power.

Kauppalehti wrote in a comment that the road to head the Commission is not an easy one for any Spitzenkandidat, because even though the EPP remained the biggest group in the European Parliament, there will be changes in the Parliament and it is not clear if other groups want to elect a new EPP President for the Commission. Even if Mr Stubb was not elected in the position, he might earn another position with a good campaign. Foremost, he would be very qualified for the position of High Representative of the European Union.

Media:  Aamulehti (E-edition, PDF) , Helsingin Sanomat, Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition, PDF) , Kauppalehti , Keskisuomalainen (E-edition, PDF)
Date: 3.10.2018
Journalist: –
Main source: Alexander Stubb

President Niinistö: International agreement based system suffering

Summary:
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö spoke at the 100th anniversary of the Finnish Supreme Court about his concern over the devaluation of international agreements in international politics. According to Mr Niinistö, it seems that in geopolitics power and strength are what counts today.

He said that by questioning international agreements, some aim to change the current world order. Ignoring common agreements has never led to anything good. According to President Niinistö, the United Nations and its member states must express their will to collaborate.

Media:  Kaleva
Date: 1.10.2018
Journalist:
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Sauli Niinistö: Europe is a natural partner to US

Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö said in a speech at the Brookings Institute in Washington that Finland has always taken its own defence seriously and that he is happy with the recent developments in strengthening European security.

He added that during the past 70 years, NATO has practically meant the United States, which has carried the greatest burden over European defence. This has been very important to Europe. The structures and sums planned by the European Union now in its defence might sound technocratic and small to the United states, but they are an important extension to European defence, Mr Niinistö pointed out.

According to Mr Niinistö, Europe is still a natural partner to the US. He said that if the United States becomes isolated, other countries will want to fill in the void it has left.

He pointed out that Russia and China do not want to face a strong EU, they emphasise bilateral relations. It is not an advantage to the US if the two countries gain more foothold in Europe. Both countries have aimed to increase their impact in neighbouring areas. Russia has done it aggressively, while China has worked in a more subtle way, Mr Niinistö explained.

Mr Niinistö found that the combination of insecurity and uncertainty could undermine western societies if the countries become isolated and forget the value of collaboration. He thinks such development is dangerous.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat, Verkkouutiset.fi
Date: 27.9.2018
Journalist:
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Editorial: Finland follows the economy and security policy

Summary:
An editorial in Keskisuomalainen discusses the Swedish government negotiations, which are expected to be long and difficult. Security policy was not an important issue in elections. Sweden’s foreign policy vis-à-vis Finland is unlikely to change even if the parties in the bloc support Sweden’s ascension into NATO.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini (Blue Reform) believes that Finland and Sweden will continue to develop and intensify their relations because of the strategic interest they share.

Even the Sweden Democrats, who clash with other parties on many other issues, would like to deepen the defence cooperation between Sweden and Finland.

Media:  Keskisuomalainen (E-edition, PDF)
Date: 11.9.2018
Journalist:
Main source:

Opposition parties move to oust anti-abortion Foreign Minister Soini

Summary:
Yle reports that the Social Democrats, Greens, Left Alliance and Swedish People’s Party are set to propose a motion of no-confidence in Foreign Minister Timo Soini (Blue Reform) when Parliament meets to consider the government’s budget proposal. The exact timing has not been confirmed.

The SDP parliamentary group leader Antti Lindtman has said that if a majority of legislators back the no-confidence motion, Mr Soini must resign. “In a world where women’s rights are increasingly challenged, it’s not right that Finland’s Foreign Minister is at odds with Finland’s official foreign policy,” said Mr Lindtman. He hopes that women in the government parties, National Coalition in particular, will back the vote.

Iltalehti has written an analysis piece about the issue, stating that it currently seems that there will be enough support for Mr Soini from the parties in the government. Mr Soini will need the support of at least 100 MPs, if everyone turns up. The opposition would need 26 MP votes to get the smallest possible majority.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Anne-Mari Virolainen criticized Mr Soini’s abortion statement straightforwardly and the chairman of the Coalition Party and Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo supported her comments publicly. The question that arises is how they could support Mr Soini after making these statements, writes Iltalehti.

Member of the board of the Social Democratic Youth Janne-Pekka Niemimäki and the chairwoman of Social Democratic Students in Oulu Miina-Anniina Heiskanen have penned a letter to the editor of Kaleva, criticising Mr Soini’s anti-abortion stance.

The authors argue that Finland’s work in promoting women’s rights has been indispensable, especially in developing countries, but Mr Soini’s statements on abortion distort the foreign policy line. They feel that Mr Soini’s statements are irresponsible.

Niemimäki and Heiskanen note that abortions are still performed in countries where abortion is banned or strictly regulated, but that it takes place in unhygienic conditions and without the required professional skills. According to the authors, Ms Soini does not seem to care about the consequences of illegal abortion operation.

A comment in Kansan Uutiset (KU) notes that Blue Reform has stated that the vote of no confidence reflects on the entire government’s confidence. The author states that Ministers Kai Mykkänen, Anna-Mari Virolainen and Annika Saarikko, have all condemned Mr Soini’s abortion comments.

Mr Soini defended himself in a blog and wrote that his stance on abortion had been known to everyone for a long time. The author of the comment in KU thinks that the Minister cannot publicly declare their own views if these are in conflict with Finland’s official position.

Media:  Iltalehti, Kaleva, Kansan Uutiset, Yle
Date: 11.9.2018
Journalist: Iltalehti: Marko-Oskari Lehtonen
Main source: