Minister for Foreign Affairs Ilkka Kanerva at the Presidential Forum on 8 May 2007
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Cooperation and responsibility in Finland's foreign policy
The Government's foreign and security policy guidelines emphasize cooperation and solidarity in the global security environment. In accordance with the Government Programme, Finland’s foreign and security policy is based on good bilateral relations, exerting a strong influence in the European Union, effective multilateral cooperation and credible national defence.
One of the key objectives of the Government is to strengthen European cooperation and the European Union. Our commitment to the Union was made more explicit by removing from the definition of our security policy the phrase "military non-alliance", which did not reflect Finland's role as a Member State of the EU. Finland does not seek any special arrangements or reservations to jointly agreed goals but takes part fully in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and crisis management cooperation.
In recent weeks, we have seen that the EU's solidarity is welcome when an individual Member State becomes a target of external pressures. The added value that EU membership provides for security is of great significance in a crisis situation.
Finland shoulders its responsibility for the EU's action. It is clear that we are more in touch with the situation in a neighbouring country of ours than the more distant partners are. Finland was the first country to show support for the Estonian Government in the controversy related to the bronze statue of the Unknown Soldier by also contacting the EU Presidency. It was of utmost importance that Finland brought the situation in Estonia to the attention of the EU. The Estonians have thanked us for it and said it was important for them that it was Finland that intervened in the case.
Finland paid attention to the intimidation targeted at Estonia, and the entire Union, much earlier than the others and tried to act in a manner that would protect the unity of the Union. Most others reacted only after the violations of the Vienna Convention had taken place in Moscow.
In accordance with the Government Programme and with the wishes of the previous Parliament, the new report on Finnish security and defence policy will also include an assessment of the EU's security guarantees. Finland must not underrate the provisions concerning the strengthening of common security; not even on the pretext that NATO's security guarantees would be more effective in the context of a traditional military attack, a threat which, according to the EU and NATO, is not in sight.
The Government Programme also requires that "the effects of military non-alliance and military alliance" be clarified in connection with the preparation of the new report. These clarifications will be used as a basis for assessing Finland's military position.
I would like to see more attention being devoted in Finnish discussion to Finland's responsible role in crises threatening common security. We are renowned for our participation in peacekeeping activities under the UN flag and also belong among the key NATO PfP countries. But there will be more and more challenges in future. We have to consider increasing our total input in the stabilisation of Afghanistan - via military crisis management, yes, but more so through civilian expertise. Like the other Nordic countries, we must discuss the possibility of playing a more active role in crisis management tasks in Africa where the UN has taken the lead. It is possible that the Finns serving in the EU Battlegroups will be despatched to Africa. The current standby period of the rapid response force, led by Germany, is expected to end in June without any field experience. Sweden will be in charge of the Battlegroup in which Finland will also serve in early 2008, but it is still too soon to say whether the group will be despatched to any EU military crisis management tasks.
The prevention of conflicts and crisis management call for a comprehensive approach and broad-based cooperation. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will study the future challenges of crisis management, and the establishment of a closer link between the military and civilian aspects of crisis management. It is important to be aware of the relationship between security and development. In the context of development policy the prevention of crises and support for peace processes are being accorded more attention than earlier. Close cooperation between the EU and NATO is an important element in the development of comprehensive crisis management. This is well understood on the ground in both Kosovo and Afghanistan.
Like the other developed countries, Finland must contribute to global security. The situation in Estonia gave a reminder of the significance of the Baltic Sea region, but Finland's input is expected in wider contexts. Even the content of transatlantic relations, which are important for us, partly depends on how we respond to the burden-sharing in efforts to fight global security threats such as proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, international crime, failing states, regional crises - the same challenges that in the EU's own security strategy are defined as today's threats.
Finland strives to become elected as one of the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council for the two-year period from 2013 to 2014. The election will take place in the General Assembly in 2012. The campaign must be launched in good time. The countries that stand for election to the Security Council are expected to be active in issues where the Council plays a central role. In the UN, Finland's action relies on a broad-based concept of security.
Cooperation with Sweden and Norway and the other Nordic countries is active, as usual, and will intensify in the future. The Nordic countries have agreed on several meetings to be arranged in the next few weeks, focusing on, among other things, Afghanistan, Kosovo, the Middle East and separately on cooperation in security policy matters. Issues related to the northern regions are underlined. All of the Nordic countries are very active in questions concerning global security. In the UN, the Nordic countries are still a reference group. Sweden is preparing for its EU Presidency in 2009 and looking to join the core of the EU where Finland is already placed.
Next year will open up an excellent opportunity for Finland and Sweden to show direction in Europe. Finland will assume the Chairmanship-in-Office of the OSCE for the year.
Sweden, for its part, heads the Council of Europe for six months beginning in May.
Relations with Russia must be attended to. Developments in Russia influence the future of the whole of Europe. Russia has given an assurance that it is committed to European values and principles, and it should be required to implement them. The way Russia acts should become closer to the way Europe acts. The EU has to engage Russia in European cooperation. That is why the Union's role as a channel of influence must be strengthened resolutely - not weakened. The goal must be broad-based partnership, not only in the fields of energy and trade, but also among actors in civil society. As a neighbouring country we know that this calls for cooperation and dialogue, contacts at everyday level.
Finland has much expertise to offer as a contribution to the promotion of concrete cooperation.
- The world knows us for the rule of law, respect for human rights and equality issues. These assets are suitable export articles for us. A human rights policy report on Finland’s international activities and the implementation of human rights in Finland will be issued during the Government’s term of office
- The Roma Forum, which was launched years ago on the initiative of President Halonen, in the framework of the Council of Europe, must be exploited more widely, for example in the treatment of minorities in Kosovo.
- We shall continue efforts aimed at the drawing up of an international arms trade treaty in cooperation with the UK.
The Government has not yet discussed the preparation of the security and defence policy report. In accordance with the Government Programme, a parliamentary monitoring group will be appointed, as before, to support the work.
Security policy is not a matter for any limited group of people.
Future assessments and decisions should be supported by dialogue to be launched with parties such as NGOs and the business community. I think that it would be important to engage young people in the discussion about Finland's foreign and security policy. We know the threats of history and have learned the lessons. It is important to detect and envisage changes in the security policy environment. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs intends to set up of group of young persons to discuss the challenges related to Finland's security policy. The matter is about solutions affecting the future of our youth.