Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says that Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit speech was clear and streamlined, and diminished speculations. Mr Soini considers it important that the negotiations are carried out with no hard feelings or revenge mentality and that the aim is to reach the best possible solution for Finland, the EU, and Britain. Prime Minister Juha Sipilä highlighted the fact that Britain is willing to maintain trade relations with the EU. Mr Sipilä also found it important that Prime Minister May emphasised Britain’s willingness to cooperate with the EU in security policy and anti-terrorism activities.

Summary:

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö says that defence cooperation in the EU should be taken as far as possible, but he does not advocate a confederation but rather an agreement on defending the EU. Mr Niinistö does not believe Russia would try to influence the Finnish presidential election, like it is suspected of doing in the United States. He praises Sweden and other European countries for their eagerness to engage in bilateral Russia politics and believes Finland has shown the way in the matter.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition) 

Date: 15.1.2017

Journalist: Marjukka Liiten

Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini says Europeans should not be worried about recent statements by US president-elect Donald Trump. Mr Soini considers it very unlikely that Europe and the US diverged from each other as it would be very unprofitable for both. He believes the greatest possible free trade between the EU and the US is the advantage of both. Mr Soini is not worried that the US will withdraw from European defence structures, but believes that European NATO countries will increase their defence spending.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat 

Date: 16.1.2017

Journalist: Pekka Mykkänen

Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini is visiting Ankara on 10–12 January, where he has already met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. He says the bilateral relations between Finland and Turkey are good, even though the relations between Turkey and the EU are currently frosty. The EU has been particularly concerned about the human rights situation and democracy development in Turkey. Mr Soini says he brought up these issues during his visit and that he is also meeting with representatives of the Turkish opposition and NGOs. Mr Soini disagrees with the European Parliament’s decision to suspend Turkey’s membership negotiations, and feels that no one benefits from such a decision expect those who have no interest in advancing the solution of e.g. the refugee problem.

26 percent of Finns want Finland to apply for NATO membership while 48% are against it, a survey by newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus shows. The share of those uncertain about applying for membership is significantly larger than in another survey conducted in the autumn. Matti Vanhanen, chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament, and Ilkka Kanerva, chairperson of the Defence Committee, estimate that the results of the survey are similar to other NATO surveys conducted in recent years. Mr Kanerva is even slightly surprised that there were no major changes even though international tensions are rising. Neither Mr Vanhanen nor Mr Kanerva propose Finland apply for NATO membership now but they do not wish to completely dismiss the possibility either.

Summary:

Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo (Coalition) has said that Finland will explore the possibility of the European Investment Bank (EIB) financing the acquisition of new jet fighters to replace the ageing Hornet fleet. Last week, Mr Orpo attended talks in Brussels on deepening the EU security policy. « All that the EU is doing to improve common security is in Finland’s interests. Finland needs to be involved in all of the projects, » he said. The new fighter aircraft will cost an estimated 7-10 billion euros.

Media:  Aamulehti 

Date: 23.12.2016

Journalist: Lauri Nurmi

Main source: 

Summary:

HBL writes in an editorial that EU security and defence policy has entered a new phase and become a top priority. Both Russia’s actions in the EU’s neighbourhood and diverse hybrid threats have placed new demands on the EU. EU defence policy no longer focuses on crises outside Europe but on internal cooperation, too. Because of the relatively high resistance to NATO membership, EU cooperation is good for Finland. The greater the uncertainty in our environment, the more we must invest in our own security. Stable relations reduce the risk of surprising risks.

Media:  Hufvudstadsbladet (E-edition, PDF) 

Summary:

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, who is currently substituting for Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, says President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s threat to open Turkey’s borders to Europe is a game even though the situation is serious. Mr Mykkänen notes that the European Parliament’s decision to freeze membership negotiations with Turkey indicates that the human rights situation in Turkey has developed in a worrisome way after the failed coup last summer. He says that cooperation with Turkey on refugee issues should be possible also in the future but at the same time the country should be pressured into upholding rule of law.