Summary:
Verkkouutiset writes that according to Finland’s Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo, worries over the weakened security situation in Europe and the US demands of more fair burden sharing have made it clear that Europe must take responsibility for its own defence. Orpo says that tightening the European defence cooperation is the long-term goal of Finland in the EU. However, the EU will not become a defence union. Nato and EU will be complementary structures, and tightening EU cooperation does not contradict Nato. For Finland, both cooperating with Nato and developing EU defence is very important.
Catégorie : Presse Finlandaise
Minister Kai Mykkänen: Russia is breaching its commitments
Summary:
According to Minister of Foreign Trade Kai Mykkänen, the trade between Finland and Russia is recovering. Exports are growing and the number of visas granted to Russian tourists has clearly increased from last year. However, the Minister is concerned over Russia’s increasingly strong import substitution policy. When it comes to state-owned companies, Russia is breaching its World Trade Organisation commitments. Mr Mykkänen is to discuss the issue with Russian colleagues and adds that also EU and Russia should discuss it. Minister Mykkänen says that though the Russian economy is growing slightly, no boom is expected, which means that the superpower ideology continues to dominate after next spring’s election in Russia.
President Niinistö implied that Sweden does not ratify treaty banning nuclear weapons
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö has implied that Sweden would not ratify the treaty banning nuclear weapons but would support the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. According to Mr Niinistö, Sweden’s answer to the question will come after a year. Finland has only signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which also includes nuclear weapon states. Foreign Affairs Minister Timo Soini says that it remains to be seen what Sweden does, but Finland is not to sign the treaty banning nuclear weapons. It did not even take part in the negotiations.
Media: 
Demokraatti.fi
Date: 28.11.2017
Journalist: Johannes Ijäs
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Sipilä praised the EU policy of his government but did not offer new visions of its direction – « Our middle-way approach has become the common policy of the EU »
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes that according to the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä, Finland is actively influencing the development of the EU and Finland’s middle-way approach towards EU integration has become the dominant view within the EU. Finland is willing to deepen integration quickly in some issues, while in other issues it is more reluctant. The government is excited about the development of EU defence cooperation, but Finland does not want to deepen the integration in the financial union too much. Sipilä rejects increasing the common responsibility within the monetary union. The integration must also be kept uniform.
Wärtsilä delivers technology to Africa’s largest solar power plant
Summary:
Wärtsilä delivers technology to Africa’s largest solar power plant, which is built in Nigeria, and produces power to more than one million people. According to Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, the deal is a significant for Finland in the framework of renewable energy. Mr Mykkänen says that the expectations on Africa’s economic growth for the next few years are great. He was positively surprised by the success of Finnish companies during the export promotion trip to Nigeria and Ghana.
Media: Iltalehti
Date: 17.11.2017
Journalist: Kreeta Karvala
Main source: Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen
Soini discussed with Suu Kyi in Myanmar
Summary:
The international community tries to bring new hope to the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini discussed the situation with Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday. All EU and Asian Foreign Ministers who discussed with the Myanmar leader called for an end to the violence. Minister Soini told STT that there is some optimism in the situation but no decisive steps have been taken to improve the situation. He found it positive that negotiations are carried out to find a solution. Minister Soini reminded that even a peace Nobel prize winner cannot make miracles happen, as the army has great power in Myanmar.
Sauli Niinistö in Spanish El País: « I have good relations with Putin »
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö spoke about NATO, neighbourhood with Russia and the Baltic States, among other things, in an interview with the Spanish El País. He said that after the Crimea crisis, the security environment in Europe has changed. Particularly the situation of the Baltic States is concerning, as their geopolitical relations are not clear, the President said. Mr Niinistö added that he has good relations with President Putin and that he is concerned over the cyber war that originates in the east.
Media: Iltalehti
Date: 16.11.2017
Journalist: Laura Peräsalo
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö
Finnish Presidential candidates about EU common defence
Summary:
Aamulehti reports that the discussion of the Finnish Presidential candidates discussed issues of EU defence among other things. MEP Nils Torvalds finds that during a difficult crisis the EU common defence does not work. President of Finland Sauli Niinistö sees progress in common defence and says that the EU is more efficient in case of hybrid threats and intelligence issues. MEP Merja Kyllönen reminds that the EU’s rapid response troops never got in motion.
Media: Aamulehti (E-edition, PDF) 
Date: 14.11.2017
Journalist: Hannamari Ahonen
Main source: n/a