Summary:
An international conference on Syria was held in Brussels. Minister of Foreign Affairs Timo Soini represented Finland at the conference. In a press release, Minister Soini said that the war is not only a great humanitarian crisis, but an enormous crisis of regional development. In Syria, 13 million people are need of protection and humanitarian aid, and over half of them are children or youngsters. Finland has committed 25 million EUR in aid for 2018, of which 12.6 million will be directed to humanitarian aid. This is less than the 35 million in 2017 and the 34 million in 2016.

Minister Soini said that Syria is still important to Finland, but « everything cannot be measured with money ». According to Minister Soini, it is necessary to make choices when it comes to humanitarian aid and developmental aid.

The conference discussed the delivery of emergency aid to Syria. Despite the Security Council decision in February, the emergency aid has not been delivered to the region in the way that was intended. Mr Soini said that violations of human rights and international humanitarian law continue. This must stop and the aid must reach its targets.

Helsingin Sanomat notes that a year ago, the situation was very similar slightly different parts of Syria. Helsingin Sanomat asked Minister Soini what had changed since then, and he replied that unfortunately nothing has changed much. The EU countries are still unwilling to fund rebuilding if Bashar al-Assad remains in power after the war ends. However, it is clear that the EU must interact with the Syrian administration even after the possible end of the war. It is difficult to see how this will be possible if Russia and Iran do not pressure Assad to step down.

The situation eats up resources from Russia and Iran, and harms their international credibility, Minister Soini says, but they saved Assad who would have otherwise been defeated. The Syrian military is close to winning the war, and Isis is beaten but not destroyed, Minister Soini adds. If a political solution cannot be reached, it is possible that Isis or a similar organization will return.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat, Helsingin Sanomat (E-edition, PDF) , Kaleva, Kaleva
Date: 24.4.2018
Journalist:
Main source:

Summary:
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö spoke with US President Donald Trump on Monday. The discussion focused on international politics and the Arctic region on particular. President Niinistö expressed his wish that President Trump’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would be successful. President Trump congratulated President Niinistö on his re-election.

Mika Aaltola, program director at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, says that these calls are rare and it is a sign of a good relationship between Finland and the United States. Aaltola believes that the discussion probably included Finland’s initiatives regarding black coal, and the Arctic Council’s meeting schedule. The call may have also included matters related to the Ukraine, the Middle East and North Korea. Finland has been mentioned as a possible location for a meeting between Mr Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Media:  Aamulehti , Helsingin Sanomat, Iltalehti, Iltalehti, Iltalehti (E-edition, PDF) , Kainuun Sanomat , MTV – Finland, Pohjalainen
Date: 23.4.2018
Journalist:

Summary:
Nobel laureate Martti Ahtisaari wrote about his concern over the world order in Uusi Suomi’s partner blog. He evaluated that there seems to be no real will to solve the world’s small and big conflicts.

Former President Ahtisaari expressed concern over the major powers that keep raising the stakes and the current world situation which resembles the tension during the cold war. He listed other concerns, too, including military trainings, belittling or breaching international agreements, trade war and weakening of democracy at the core of Europe.

Mr Ahtisaari evaluated that the world order we know now is at risk of crumbling, and international diplomats and experts share his concern. The United States and Russia’s lack of ability to collaborate affects the stability of the entire world.

However, Mr Ahtisaari is not pessimistic. He thinks that all conflicts can be solved, also under the current circumstances. He strongly believes in the United Nations and points out that empowering it serves the advantage of all countries.

Media:  Kauppalehti
Date: 10.4.2018
Journalist: Teppo Ovaskainen
Main source: Martti Ahtisaari

Summary:
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini has commented on the election victory of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party in Hungary.

Minister Soini does not believe that the relations between Hungary and the European Union will significantly change from now on, though Mr Orbán’s immigration views are opposite to those of the EU. PM Orbán has for example rejected the EU’s refugee quotas and praised the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Minister Soini finds that the election result will make Brussels more tense but points out that this is democracy. Nobody has claimed that the elections were not honest, he points out.

Mr Soini adds that there are several parties in Europe that promote similar politics as PM Orbán. He believes that due to this the next European Elections will be quite an interesting show.

Media:  Kaleva
Date: 9.4.2018
Journalist: –
Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Summary:
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö has discussed the European Union and security with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović. Mr Niinistö said that a stronger EU is needed – the EU should have a place in the table with the big countries.

Both Presidents underlined the possibility offered by Finland and Croatia’s consecutive EU presidencies for cooperation between the countries. With this cooperation, Finland and Croatia can act towards peace and European unity, President Niinistö noted and emphasised that small countries have a chance to make bigger countries to understand their global responsibility.

President Niinistö thanked President Grabar-Kitarović for support to neighbouring regions. He said that Finland strongly supported the EU membership processes of the Baltic countries, and Croatia plays a similar role in Southeast Europe, creating EU connections between countries. According to President Niinistö, the work is important for the countries in the Balkan but also for the EU’s security and welfare.

Furthermore, President Niinistö expressed his satisfaction with the Croatian President’s interest in collaboration over the protection of the arctic region. « The arctic region is a global issue. If we lose it, we lose the world, » the President added. He particularly emphasised the need to reduce black carbon emissions.

Media:  Verkkouutiset.fi
Date: 10.4.2018
Journalist:
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö

Summary:
President Sauli Niinistö and Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini have given statements on the latest events in Syria.

President Niinistö said in a statement that the events in Syria threaten to jeopardise international peace. According to President Niinistö, it is important that the parties of the war quickly and thoroughly investigate the weekend’s events. Finding a solution through negotiations is the only way to calm down the situation for good.

President Niinistö stated that Finland condemns the use of chemical weapons in all situations.

Minister Soini is in the understanding that the Syrian government was responsible for the gas attack in Eastern Ghouta.

According to Mr Soini, the formula used in Syria’s gas attacks has been consistent and repetitive. Syria’s tactics is to hit targets regardless of civilian victims so that the last fighters would leave and they could take over the city. Mr Soini believes that the government and its supporters are behind such acts.

Minister Soini evaluated that there was a risk of escalation in the war. « 500,000 people have been killed and many countries use Syria as a battle field. They have interests, arms and arms dealers there, » he pointed out.

He added that there was a risk of increasing use of chemical weapons if the international community starts overlooking their use. « The Syrian war is a disgrace to humanity and international community which has not been able to put an end to it, » Minister Soini said and added that the major powers hold the key to the solution.

Media:  Ilta-Sanomat
Date: 9.4.2018
Journalist:
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini

Summary:
A majority of EU countries is going to participate in the proposal by the French President Emmanuel Macron to consult EU citizens on the future of the Union. Only Hungary and the UK are not participating.

The consultation sounds organised, but at least in Finland there is no clear picture of how the discussions are to be utilised. In Finland, Ministers have promised to hold open discussion events.

The European Parliament’s Information Office in Finland will also arrange events. The idea of a web survey has not been very popular in Finland. The Government has proposed that instead, there could be a few extra questions on the Union’s future in the eurobarometer survey.

Media:  Etelä-Suomen Sanomat
Date: 11.3.2018
Journalist: STT
Main source:

Summary:
According to Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö, the poisoning attempt of the Russian agent, Sergei Skripal, in the UK is a very severe blow to international security. He finds that Russia should contribute to the investigation of the crime.

President Niinistö said that both alternatives proposed to the events, the fact that Russia has been an active player in the events, and that the dangerous substances are not under its control, are both very worrying.

According to the President, Finland is ready to give all its support and help to the UK.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini expects that Russia acts like a responsible country and answers the questions it has been asked. According to Minister Soini, it is expected that Russia will respond in some way to the UK’s decision to banish 23 Russian diplomats due to the poisoning case.

Minister Soini added that the murder attempt was a very serious issue. « It is severe that chemical weapons are used in Europe. We have to find out who did it and they must face justice, » he said.

The Minister said that Finland would be ready to help the UK in the investigation, if it has the competence, but it will only help if the UK asks for it.

Minister Soini pointed out that now the relations between the UK and Russia are extremely cold. He hopes that they can solve their problems, because it must be done.

Media:  Aamulehti , Demokraatti.fi, Kaleva
Date: 14.3.2018
Journalist:
Main source: