Summary:

Finland is hosting an international summit on Syria at the beginning of next year. Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen says that if the summit is a success it can be a major step forward. At the summit, new UN plans on aid for Syria will be published and it will also be possible to negotiate new arrangements for receiving and transferring refugees. Mr Mykkänen states as his personal opinion that Finland could accept more quota refugees in the future. He says the general trend in asylum policy in Europe should be turned in the direction of taking refugees directly from refugee camps and thus controlling illegal entry.

Summary:

The situation in Mosul was discussed in private conversations as the EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg on Monday to discuss the situation in Syria. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini is confident that Isis will be chased out of the city. Mr Soini estimates that a new wave of refugees is expected and emphasises that shelters should be built close to people’s home towns so that they would be safe in the area and could return home when the crises are over. The foreign ministers said in a statement that the Russian and Syrian bombings in Aleppo may be war crimes. Mr Soini is more careful with his words and describes the bombing of children, women and civilians as despicable and says that Russia holds the key to a solution.

Summary:

Finland’s foreign policy leadership states that Russia and the al-Assad regime carry the main responsibility for the escalation of the conflict and civilian suffering in Aleppo. Finland demands that parties immediately desists from military action, enable delivery of humanitarian aid and commit to advancing a political solution. In addition, suspected war crimes should be investigated and the perpetrators be brought to justice. According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, thousands may die and Aleppo collapse in a month or two if there is no change to the situation.

Media:  Turun Sanomat

Date: 19.10.2016

Journalist: STT / Riku Roslund

Summary:

Finland joined on Tuesday Western countries condemning the bombing of Aleppo by the Syrian army and Russia. In a statement, the President and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy condemn the intentional targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and urge parties to the conflict to commit to a nationwide ceasefire and to ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the city. Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini commented on the statement in Parliament by saying that it is shameful to the international community that such murdering is allowed to go own and that Russia has a central role in it.

Summary:

President Sauli Niinistö said in press conference on Friday that he was surprised to hear that the international team investigating the MH17 incident were not able to use the data from missile tests in Finland in their report. There are two teams investigating the incident, a Dutch one and an international one, and Finland had only given the Dutch team permission to use the data. According to Mr Niinistö, Finland has received several aid requests from Holland and has had to compare each one to the secrecy conditions of the supply contract of the Buk missile system. The latest request, pertaining to more detailed information about the missile system and the permission to share it with the international investigation team, has not yet been processed. Mr Niinistö says the matter is delicate because it is related to arms trade, not because it is related to Russia.

Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini attended a party convention by the British Conservative Party in Birmingham and commented on the MH17 missile scandal. Mr Soini says that Finland did the right thing by aiding the Dutch investigation and does not believe the incident impaired Finland’s reputation. Mr Soini also commented on Brexit. Mr Soini wishes the British EU exit takes place swiftly. He thinks it is clear that both parties – Britain and the EU member states – will have to make compromises. A good deal with Britain is in the best interests of Finland. He believes Finns will continue to be able to work and study in Britain after Brexit.

Summary:

An unofficial document by Finland on EU defence has been released. The document outlines that EU defence integration should focus on securing Europe, crisis management, supporting partners, and preventing and responding to external threats. The plan is pragmatic and emphasises the creation of security and defence partnerships after Britain’s decision to leave the EU. Finland also proposes additional funds to EU joint combat forces and to research and development of military technology.

Media:  Verkkouutiset / Nykypäivä

Date: 27.9.2016

Journalist: Kasperi Summanen

Main source: –

Summary:

President Sauli Niinistö said in his speech at the UN general assembly that narrow-minded nationalism, racism and violent extremism are destructive ideologies that must be stopped. Mr Niinistö also commented on the Syrian war and the refugee situation in Europe saying that European countries are sympathetic to refugees but that they have limited resources to look after them and to offer humanitarian aid. According to the president, humanitarian measures will not solve the root causes of migration. He called for societal reforms but emphasises that responsibility of local governments.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat

Date: 21.9.2016

Journalist: Laura Saarikoski