Summary:
Uusisuomi reports that according to Finnish Interior Minister Petteri Orpo, membership in Nato would improve the Finnish security. However, he would like to retain the Finnish self-defence forces as well. He also stresses the need to be ready for hybrid warfare. Also, the common EU foreign and security policy must be tightened. EU and Nato should also increase their cooperation.
Media: Uusi Suomi
Date: 6.6.2016
Journalist:
Main source: Minister of Interior Petteri Orpo
Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat writes in an editorial that tightening the rules for uniting refugee families has become a symbol of the Sipilä government’s immigration and asylum policy. The policy was already tightened by Jyrki Katainen’s government, and now Sipilä’s government holds on to the promise that the criteria for uniting families will be redefined according to the EU directive. However, it’s not a given that the changes are made in the spirit of the EU directive. The purpose of the directive is to guarantee foreigners the right to a family life and to ensure that children are allowed to live with their parents. However, the Finnish government uses it to rationalize significant restrictions, even so that the right to a family is based on income. It is particularly alarming that the income requirements also apply to children.
Summary:
The Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Monday. The international military exercises Baltops started in Hanko, Finland, during the same day. Mr Soini talked about the exercises after the meeting and stated that they have carried out such exercises since 1993. Mr Lavrov also answered journalists’ questions. According to him, it was beneficial for Russia to participate in the Baltops earlier but not now when they are used as a weapon to incite hysteria against Russia. Both Mr Soini and Mr Lavrov looked happy in each other’s company and were very positive about the collaboration.
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö comments on the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s future visit to Finland. According to him, it is a natural continuation to his own visits to meet Mr Putin. Mr Niinistö says that with this, Finland does not differ from other European countries. He highlights that the coming visit is a working visit, not a festive occasion. Mr Niinistö believes that they will discuss big international matters and the economy between the two countries.
Media: Pohjalainen
Date: 6.6.2016
Journalist: STT
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö
L’École de Chirurgie de Nancy organisera, en collaboration avec les villes de Poznan (Pologne) et Espoo (Finlande),le 14 juin prochain, une première Européenne . Il s’agira de réaliser une retransmission en direct et en simultané, sur les sites de Poznan et d’Espoo, d’interventions chirurgicales endoscopiques et robotiques en 2D et 3D.
Cet évènement qui combine l’alliance de technologies de communication interactive, au service d’interventions chirurgicales, préfigure l’évolution de ce que sera l’avenir de la pédagogie chirurgicale et de la formation exigeante des futurs chirurgiens.
La Finlande est associée à cet évènement majeur et nous nous en réjouissons.
Verkkouutiset reports that a recent foreign and security policy statement by the National Coalition Party proposes that Finland should apply for NATO membership in the next few years. According to the statement, a broad interpretation of the EU’s mutual assistance clause is an advantage for Finland. At the same time, it must be remembered that the EU is not a defence alliance. The EU does not have a credible military capability to plan and command required by a common defence. These capabilities will not be created since 22 of the 28 member states are NATO members.
Media: Verkkouutiset
Date: 26.5.2016
Finland’s Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo says that the flow of asylum seekers and refugees is constantly being monitored. According to the Minister, the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland is limited by European border control, Verkkouutiset reports. Minister Orpo particularly emphasises the importance of Swedish border control for Finland. The European Commission has given Sweden, Germany, Austria, Denmark and Norway the permit to continue border control for the next six months.
Media: Verkkouutiset
Date: 1.6.2016
Journalist: Arno Rydman
Main source: Minister of the Interior Petteri Orpo
According to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Timo Soini, the future of the European Union is at stake due to possible Brexit, refugee and euro crises and tense relations with Russia, among other things. « I’m not a fan of the EU, but I don’t enjoy this situation, » the Minister said on Monday at a foreign policy seminar. According to Mr Soini, EU does not need more integration but decision-making close to the people who have lost their faith in the Union. The Minister supports closer collaboration between EU and NATO, and wants joint actions from the Union towards Russia.
Media: Turun Sanomat
