Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö says that the relations between Europe and Turkey have become more complicated quite quickly. Turkey has mentioned annulling the refugee agreement with the EU and flared up at Holland for preventing the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs from campaigning in Rotterdam. The EU and NATO are trying to calm the war of words between Turkey and Holland. Mr Niinistö estimates that the situation has caused some wonder but notes that issues have always been solved one way or another.

Media:  Karjalainen
Date: 13.3.2017
Journalist: STT
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

President Sauli Niinistö attended a ceremony commemorating the efforts of Swedish volunteers figthing on the Finnish side in the Winter War in Stockholm on 13 March. Discussion about helping one’s neighbour has again been lively in recent times as Finland and Sweden are moving towards closer cooperation in defence issues. Mr Niinistö states that both countries currently have a strong will for cooperation in security policies and possibly even in defence policies where development has been quite fast. He states that there is a sense of affinity between the two countries.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition, PDF)
Date: 14.3.2017
Journalist: Elina Kervinen
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Summary:
The European Union is vital, particularly to smaller countries, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö stated in a press conference with Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid in Helsinki on 7 March. Ms Kaljulaid, who was on a two-day state visit in Finland, agreed with Niinistö and said that people forget how much the EU has given us. The two presidents also reassured those concerned about US President Donald Trump or the future of NATO. Mr Niinistö said he is concerned about the global security situation where tensions have risen after Russia’s annexation of Crimea three years ago. During the visit, the two presidents discussed, among others, economic collaboration between the two countries, security in the Baltic Sea region, current EU affairs and relations with Russia and the United States.

Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates that negotiations between Britain and the EU will be difficult but hopes that a mutually satisfactory solution will be found. He does not believe other member states will follow Britain’s lead in the near future. Mr Soini points out that it is pretty easy for a member state to announce that they are leaving but actually leaving is not a quick process.

Media:  YLE Uutiset
Date: 13.2.2017
Journalist: Jussi Virkkunen
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Summary:
Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini estimates that the vagueness of the Trump administration in climate issues will be a challenge during Finland’s term as chair of the Arctic Council. Mr Soini defends utilising the Arctic for commercial purposes as long as it is done in a sustainable way and sensitive areas are not opened up for business without thorough investigation. Mr Soini says it is difficult to estimate if the Arctic Council is headed for smooth sailing or pack ice during Finland’s chairmanship and points out that cooperation does not be in demand right now.

Summary:

Helsingin Sanomat reports that Presidents Sauli Niinistö and Petro Poroshenko stated on Tuesday that the sanctions against Russia will not be lifted. Mr Niinistö noted that Finland took part in the EU decision to set the sanctions and respects this decision. Ukraine and Finland also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on energy cooperation regarding energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and alternative energy sources. Mr Niinistö also commented on the war in Eastern Ukraine and stated that Finland supports Ukraine’s territorial autonomy and continues to condemn the occupation of Crimea as unlawful.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat 

Date: 24.1.2017

Summary:

The Finnish State Under-Secretary for EU Affairs Jori Arvonen has confirmed that the European hybrid threat centre will come to Finland. Arvonen says the interest has been very high, both in the framework of EU and Nato. The main goal of the centre is to strengthen the defence against hybrid threats and increase awareness about them. The participants will come from EU and Nato countries. The centre will have a network structure wherein the day-to-day operations are run from Helsinki while the core competences come from other state capitals. The centre will start its first operations already during the spring.

Summary:

Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini said on Monday that the EU must continue dealing with Turkey. Austria and the European Parliament have proposed freezing EU membership negotiations with Turkey because of the Turkish government’s actions against the press and the opposition after the failed July coup. Soini says during his recent visit in Ankara he emphasised that there are two possible directions for Turkey to take – Europe or the Middle East – and that the EU would like the country to come their way.

Media:  YLE Uutiset

Date: 16.1.2017

Journalist: Petri Raivio