Summary:
The government will face challenges this autumn when the EU’s call for assistance to facilitate the refugee situation in Italy will be discussed. Minister of the Interior Paula Risikko and Foreign Minister Timo Soini agree on the fact that all EU countries will have to fulfill their responsibilities in the future. They refer to the 2015 agreement by which the EU countries agree on sharing the burden of Italy and Greece. The agreement has failed in every way. Foreign Minister Soini has already said that Finland cannot commit itself to new internal transfers of asylum seekers within the EU. According to him, all EU countries must first stick to their old promises. Both Soini and Risiko agree that it is most important to influence the roots of immigration.
Catégorie : Presse Finlandaise
Timo Soini became side kick to Brits’ Brexit mess because of accidental phone call – difficult exit process continued on Monday with disputed money negotiations
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes that the Brexit negotiations have started in Brussels. The biggest issue is how the Brits will regard the payment obligations of 100 billion euros. Foreign Minister Timo Soini became a sub-plot to Brexit news reporting when Bloomberg used a story about Brexit Minister Davis accidentally calling Brexit negotiator Barnier instead of Mr Soini as an example of the British government’s mess. Mr Soini underlines that Finland stands with the remaining EU member states when it comes to the negotiations. It has been assessed that the EU is much better prepared for the negotiations than Britain.
Timing of Russia note surprises experts: ”Of course this raises questions”
Summary:
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a formal note to Finland in mid-June in which it expressed its disappointment with Finnish consul Virpi Hanhikoski’s presence in the imprisonment trial of Dmitri Bogatshev, who is suspected of the smuggling of weapons. Experts wonder whether the timing of the note is related to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Finland. UPI director Teija Tiilikainen says that the timing raises questions, but that Putin’s agenda will become clear only later. The exchange of notes between foreign ministries is in itself an ordinary diplomatic exchange, though it is unusual to make them public. On Monday, Keijo Norvanto from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the note shortly to Ilta-Sanomat, saying the Ministry receives and handles hundreds of notes every year. Norvanto did not comment on how and when the note will be answered. Foreign Minister Timo Soini was not available for comment. The Finnish Foreign Ministry now holds a low profile on the issue.
Sauli Niinistö is ready for electoral debate at the end of October
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö announces his readiness to attend an electoral debate between presidential candidates in late October. The Centre Party’s presidential candidate, Matti Vanhanen, criticized Niinistö on Tuesday that he had previously said that he would not participate in a debate until after Independence Day in December. On Wednesday, Niinistö confirmed that he will of course join the debate, and significantly earlier than previous presidents had done in similar situations. The first round of presidential elections is due to be held at the end of January.
Media: 
Etelä-Suomen Sanomat (E-edition, PDF) 
Date: 13.7.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: Sauli Niinistö/ Finnish president
Timo Soini at SuomiAreena: One cannot bully people
Summary:
Foreign Minister Timo Soini stated at the SuomiAreena event that the originally positive concept of populism has become negative in modern Finland. According to Soini, populism originally meant to work on behalf of people’s affairs, talk in their language and to care for people. The spreading of racist or fascist content on social media is not populism, or if it is, then the word is ruined. According to Soini, the disintegration of The Finns Party last month is due to the fact that the traditional values of the party did not exist anymore after the Jyväskylä party congress. Soini emphasized the importance of co-operation in policy making.
Niinistö responded to citizens’ questions: Finland would help Estonia in war situation
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö responded to citizens’ questions at Pori’s SuomiAreena event for about an hour on Wednesday. Many citizens were concerned about immigration. Niinistö rejected the idea that immigrants get more support than Finns. He said he understands people’s concern. If a situation like in 2015 would happen again, with tens of thousands of refugees arriving, it would be problematic for Finland’s overall economy. Asked about NATO, Niinistö said this is above all a question of security. He is satisfied that Prime Minister Sipilä did not close the door to Finland’s NATO membership. Niinistö also notes that he does not like to play war games, but that Finland would help Estonia in the event of a war.
Finns shocked by EU Parliament’s decision on forests – Nils Torvalds: « Many European MEPs have no clue about good forestry »
Summary:
HS writes that Finns are shocked by the EP Committee for Environment’s vote, which took a harsh stance towards the effects of Finnish forests on the EU climate policy. MEP Nils Torvalds (ALDE) says that many European MEPs understand nothing about good forestry and that a lot of work is required to change the mind of the MEPs before the plenary. MEP Anneli Jäätteenmäki (ALDE) says that Finland was made to suffer from low forest cuts of the past years. The Finnish Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners MTK also expressed their dismay.
Foreign minister Timo Soini comments on situation of deported orphan Zaki in Afghanistan: ”I understand this plight”
Summary:
Foreign Minister Timo Soini commented on the situation of the 19-year old orphan Zaki, who has been deported to Afghanistan last week, at SuomiAreena. A woman in the audience asked Soini about what measures the authorities are taking to get the Afghan back to Finland as he is in danger in Afghanistan. Soini said he understands this plight. He reminded, however, that in Finland deportations are based on court decisions and that a minister cannot just interfere. Minister Kai Mykkänen commented at the same panel discussion that considers the meeting between presidents Trump and Putin at the G20 summit positive. The meeting had the potential to have dangerous elements. Mykkänen also assessed that Russia might be shifting its focus on the improvement of its economy after the foreign political disputes of recent years.