Summary:
Helsingin Sanomat reports that Finland and nine other countries signed an agreement on the establishment of the EU center of excellence for countering hybrid threats in Helsinki. Foreign Minister Timo Soini noted that the centre represents concrete actions in improving resilience and cooperation between the EU and NATO. He finds it vital that cooperation between the two becomes deeper and stronger. Representing the European External Action Service, Air Commodore John Maas praised Finland for being active in the establishment process. According to Yle, Professor of Cyber Security Jarno Limnéll will be appointed as the Director of the centre.

Summary:
Foreign Minister Timo Soini says he is shocked about the Syrian gas attack. According to him, Finland sharply condemns the attack. « It is a war crime. This is one of the saddest days in this job », he said. According to Soini, the UN Security Council’s permanent members now are in charge. They need to put an end to the attacks by increasing the pressure. In his opinion, it is a shame for the international community if things like this can occur.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 6.4.2017
Journalist:
Main source:

Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö stressed that human rights were discussed more than pandas during the state visit of the Chinese President. Niinistö wondered at a press conference about the criticism over the historic visit of the Chinese President. Many had criticized the fact that pandas played the main role and that Finland did not dare to raise serious human rights issues. According to Niinistö, these claims are wrong.

Media:  Kauppalehti
Date: 6.4.2017
Journalist: –
Main source: Sauli Niinistö/ president

Summary:
Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini is shocked and sad about the events in St Petersburg on 3 March and describes them as horrible in a Twitter message posted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Soini offers his deepest condolences. At least 10 people are believed to be killed in the explosion in the St Petersburg subway.

Media:  Demokraatti.fi
Date: 3.4.2017
Journalist: Rane Aunimo
Main source: Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini

Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says it would be great if the Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump could meet in Finland at the Arctic Council summit in May. Mr Putin mentioned he would be willing to meet Mr Trump in Finland at a press conference in Arkangel after a reporter asked about it. Mr Niinistö emphasises that the proposal in itself was nothing new and notes that the meeting could be possible if the situation between the United States and Russia was calm enough and some arctic issues would also be discussed. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says a meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Putin would be excellent news as Finland is this year also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Summary:
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö praised the good relations between the countries as they met in Finland on Wednesday. Mr Niinistö said that in international politics, China cooperates with the EU in guaranteeing free trade in the world, for example. During their meeting, the two presidents signed collaboration agreements on e.g. panda protection and co-operation in the justice sector and discussed topical issues related to international affairs, such as the difficult situation between the Koreas, as well as the EU and Russia. Mr Niinistö also diplomatically reminded Mr Xi about China’s history of violating human rights by stating that Finland emphasises improving human rights and rule of law as well as co-operation in the justice system.

Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates that the extensive protests against President Vladimir Putin organised in Russia on Sunday 26 March indicate that civil society works in Russia. He says the protests show there is pressure for discussion and seeking alternatives in the Russian society and that civil society wants to be heard better. Mr Soini says there is no need to overdramatise the apprehension of opposition leader Alexei Navalny as the protests were organised without permission and those apprehended will probably be let go fairly soon.

Media:  Iltalehti
Date: 27.3.2017
Journalist: Mika Koskinen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says he would be willing to look into some kind of distribution of work (in military issues) in addition to joint defence acquisitions in the EU. Mr Niinistö points out that for many Finns joining the EU was a matter of security and that their feeling of security would be reinforced by an EU that produced security. Mr Niinistö says it is « a cheap move » to dismiss the defence dimension of the EU based on the fact that the union does not have its own army and points out that the armies of the member states would form the joint force of the union.