Speech by Minister Timo Soini at the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI)

Speech by Minister Timo Soini at the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI), March 26, 2018.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Buenos dias!

I would like to thank the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARI) for inviting me to give an address today.  Having noticed the pictures of the previous speakers - in the hall way- I feel humbled and honoured to join the famous crowd.

I will speak about the state of the International Rules-Based Order today.  I will provide some perspectives from Finland. A country that has greatly benefited from the global order based on common rules.

Argentina and Finland.  Two nations – practically on the opposite sides of the world. So you might ask, can there really be issues that we share in terms of the rules that should underpin the global order. In fact  I believe we have a lot of things in common. But I will just mention one: Our countries are two-times world champions! Argentina in football and Finland in ice-hockey. These are surely games that require very strict rules - in order to allow for a fair play where the best team wins!

Ladies and gentlemen,

100 years ago – in March 1918 – Finland had become independent just less than 4 months before. The country was poor and had ended up in a civil war.  To consolidate our independent status it was very important to obtain recognition from other countries. Argentina – despite the geographical distance - was among the first ones to recognize Finland's independence on May 11, 1918. Thank you for believing in our independence!

Nowadays, Finland and the other Nordic countries are sometimes perceived as model countries. But we still have a lot to do. This is so, in spite of the fact that according to a recent UN report "Finland is the happiest place on the earth.”

Truth being told - in 100 years we have gone a long way - from a poor agrarian state to the welfare society that Finland is known for today.  Finland has strived for continuous democratic progress - even during the two wars against Russia between 1939 and 1944. Continuity and consensus have been the pillars and strengths of the Finnish foreign policy.

From the start Finland made a conscious choice to work for a world order based on the rule of law - not on the law of the rulers – or the strongest. Respect for human rights and women's equal participation in society was cornerstones for our development. Conflicts were to be prevented and resolved through institutions such as the United Nations. For Finland, the rules-based international order is a foundation of our prosperity and a cornerstone of our security. And it remains a priority of our foreign policy.

Dear friends,

The norms and institutions that we have been building for decades are now under increasing pressure.

After World War II, a system of collective security was set up around the United Nations. This project relied on the idea that the world would converge on a basic minimum of liberal norms, and that multilateral cooperation could focus on issues such as averting mass atrocities or suppressing international terrorism.

The liberal economic order put in place after World War II was meant to support progressive policies at home and support poverty reduction abroad. However globalisation has led many to see economic openness as benefiting mainly the privileged in Western societies.

Today there are forces that promote the fragmentation of this political as well as economic world order. This trend is combined with pursuit for a new, narrower social identity - not related to a nation state. Ethnic, religious, tribal and other identities are underscored - especially in the social media.

Consequently:

The role of the UN, WTO and other co-operative organizations is being questioned. We can see the challenges very clearly in Europe.

There are more and more voices demanding economic policies based on protectionism. Including in the United States, which has been a champion for free trade and the liberal order since World War Two.

International treaties are challenged and interpreted in ways which risk making them meaningless. The erosion of norms underpinning the international trading system hurt all economies.

Institutions such as the European Union, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, are under pressure.

Four years ago Russia annexed Crimea illegally and the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues. Russia is also aiming at a more fundamental change in the security system. Russia seeks to strengthen her status as a great power and seems to cherish ideas of spheres of influence.

China is pursuing nationalistic policies and takes a more active role in the international organizations, seeking new economic opportunities and greater political influence, also here in Latin America.

The erosion of liberal international order would have serious consequences for us all - and change the world as we know it.

There is no better alternative to a common set of rules ─ and a universal respect for them. For smaller countries this is self-evident. But I would argue that the rules-based international order is the best possible alternative also for the superpowers.  Global challenges, such as climate change, cybercrime, terrorism, affect us all, but no country is able to resolve them alone.

Some have suggested to replace the old international order with something fundamentally different. But I believe we should focus on making the present order more effective and more just. It is better to reform the existing institutions, not to destroy them. The guiding principle should be the promotion of people's wellbeing and security.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Fortunately there is some good news! It seems that Argentina is moving against this worrying trend.

Argentina is moving towards cooperation and towards a more open economy. The world needs more examples like Argentina.

The world has welcomed Argentina's new policies. A WTO ministerial meeting was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina is presiding the very important G20 –group, Argentina's application to the OECD is under consideration, and Argentina is to host the Biennal (World Expo) in 2023.  Well done for the hard work!

As an open economy Finland also relies on a free, rules-based international trading system. We are confident that as long as the rules are fair, we will find our competitive niche in the global markets.

To face the new challenges we need to create more opportunities – not obstacles – for free trade. Countries must work together to face those challenges.

The European Union is strongly committed to defend the rules-based international order. But in this we need partnerships with like-minded states, such as Argentina,

The EU- Mercosur negotiations on a free trade agreement presents a remarkable opportunity. It is now important to advance in the negotiations. There are still important questions to be agreed upon, but I am convinced that the agreement will be beneficial for both sides. There is much potential in the Mercosur region even for countries like Finland whose trade now is very low with this region.

The world is changing fast. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence will change the world faster than we envisage. There will be new challenges but also new opportunities. It is good to face the future with reliable partners and even better if we have a common set of rules that all parties can rely on.

Queridos Amigos,

In multilateral forums, Argentina and Finland often find each other on the same side – defending the same principles. Respect for the multilateral system, international law, human rights, equal rights for men and women.

Our bilateral relations go way back. In a few years Argentina and Finland will celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations.

The ties are strong and go beyond governmental cooperation. It reaches also the human dimension. A love to Tango is perhaps the best known – it is a sign of matching soul-mates.

Speeches held by Ministers and the top leadership of the Ministry.