Summary:

The Finnish Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs has released an updated overview on the government’s foreign and security policy report. The overview deals with Finland’s relationship with NATO and the tightened security environment of the Baltic Sea. Unlike the report, the overview indirectly emphasises also NATO’s actions and role in the increased tension in the Baltic Sea region. Committee Chair Matti Vanhanen denies the Committee had softened their stance on Russia and says that they aimed at a dispassionate and objective evaluation. The overview also predicts a deepening EU defense cooperation. The Committee outlines that in the future, EU defense will be addressed more ‘comprehensively’ than before.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat

Date: 22.11.2016

Journalist: Eeva Palojärvi

Main source: MP Matti Vanhanen, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair