Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says he is glad that the foreign ministers of the Arctic Council member states reached an agreement on a declaration that acknowledges the existence of the effects of climate change. In his opening speech, Mr Soini emphasised the importance of work against climate change and of the Paris climate agreement. The chairmanship of the council transferred from the United States to Finland at the meeting. Finland has emphasised that, during its chairmanship, the work of the council will focus on fighting climate change, while the United States’ stance on climate change remains unclear.
Étiquette : Foreign Affairs Policy
President Niinistö commented on relations between superpowers – « It is the factor that very clearly affects this relationship »
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö estimates that the relations between superpowers Russia and the United States are not as icy as believed. He does not expect any major changes in the relations in the near future because the objectives of the Minsk agreement have not been met. Mr Niinistö discussed relations with Russia on Thursday when he met President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and noted that it would be good to start a certain kind of chain of détente. The presidents also discussed the future of the EU, and Mr Niinistö estimated that the biggest threat has been avoided with the win of Emmanuel Macron in the French presidential election.
New Arctic Council chair Finland will have to debate climate change wordings with irresolute Americans
Summary:
The chairmanship of the Arctic Council will transfer from the United States to Finland during the summit beginning in Fairbanks, Alaska, on 10 May. The American hosts have had a difficult time before the summit as the United States does not currently have an official view on climate change. The situation has been difficult for the Finns as the other seven members of the council want to hold on to their climate views, and there have been attempts to solve the problem by finding wordings that even the Americans could accept. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini believes a good result will be reached and expresses his satisfaction with the fact that all member states have accepted Finland’s agenda which focuses on environmental protection, education, meteorological co-operation and developing communications networks for Northern regions. Mr Soini is pleased that the chairmanship of the Arctic Council offers Finland a link to the new US administration.
President Niinistö would protect the Arctic by rejecting black coal
Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says it may be difficult to keep the fight against climate change on the agenda of the Arctic Council as both US and Russian leaders have expressed doubts about the man-made nature of the problem. Finland is about to begin its term as chair of the council. Mr Niinistö believes common ground could be found if the issue was approached from the angle of black coal which is accelerating glacier melt. Rejecting emission sources for black coal, such as outdated energy plants and flaring, would not interfere with the interests of council members seeking economic profit in the area, Mr Niinistö notes.
Prime Minister Sipilä: French election result positive news for the EU
Summary:
Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipilä says the result of the French presidential election is good news for the EU and also for Finland. According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, the election results leaves no room for second guessing. He does not expect the result to bring changes to the already good relations between Finland and France but believes that the continuation of co-operation between France and Germany in Europe could increase stability and predictability and thus be positive for Finnish economic growth. Also President Sauli Niinistö sees Emmanuel Macron’s election as good news for Europe and states that Mr Macron’s election also means increasing integration which benefits Finland.
EU Foreign Ministers not threatening to cut off membership negotiations with Turkey – Soini says that the problems will not be resolved by cutting ties
Summary:
EU decision-makers disagree about how to handle the EU membership application of Turkey, which is becoming more and more authoritarian. Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says the majority of member states are critical but believe that dialogue with Turkey should be continued and notes that the negotiations should not be ceased since they are not progressing anyway.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 28.4.2017
Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen
Main source: Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Soini: French people have spoken, old parties collapsed
Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini states that the traditional parties collapsed in the first round of the French presidential election. He notes that the French people have spoken. Mr Soini expects the second round, between independent centre candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, to be interesting.
Media: Satakunnan Kansa
Date: 24.4.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini
Only Finland and Malta have been model students in internal relocation of refugees – disputed European Commission programme badly behind schedule
Summary:
Numbers released by the European Commission indicate that the internal relocation of asylum seekers is significantly behind schedule. Only Finland and Malta are on schedule. Finland originally abstained from voting on the relocation programme but has since then been a model student in implementing the programme. Finland has so far accepted 602 people from Italy and 738 from Greece. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos says the Commission will put pressure on countries that are dragging their feet.
Media: Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 12.4.2017
Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen
Main source: Dimitris Avramopoulos, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship