President raps foreign policy critics at opening of Parliament

Halonen praises achievements of 10 years in EU, criticises UN

print this

President Tarja Halonen took aim at the critics of her line on foreign policy in her speech opening this year's session of Parliament.
      The President criticised her detractors, saying that they were seeking short-term political gain by "searching for disagreements in unanimous views". She said that such action is "rarely of benefit" to the country.
      The President's comments are seen to be aimed mainly at members of the business community, as well as representatives of the National Coalition Party.
     
Halonen made reference to the debate on the government report on security and defence policy, which Parliament passed late last year.
      In the debate, MPs of the National Coalition Party said that Finland should declare that the period of its traditional militarily non-allied status is a thing of the past.
      The President also took up the issue of who leads Finnish foreign policy, emphasising that cooperation with the government under the present and the previous prime ministers had proceeded well.
      Halonen's critics have accused the president of usurping foreign policy leadership from the present Prime Minister. Some have said that her critics are motivated by a desire to keep Halonen from being re-elected in next year's Presidential election.
      Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja (SDP) has suggested that the main aim is to get Finland to join NATO.
     
The President has also faced criticism for her active interest in global questions, especially the drawbacks of economic globalisation.
      Halonen took up the globalisation question in her speech opening the Parliamentary session, but the message was more positive than before.
      She said that in addition to problems, globalisation also presents new opportunities, and that Finland is set to be successful in the process in the future as well.
      Last autumn Halonen raised eyebrows by declaring that "today's globalisation is morally wrong and politically unsustainable."
      The president noted that Nokia CEO Jorma Ollila had recently expressed concern about the sale of Finnish companies to other countries. She called his comments a "welcome statement" from the world of business, and urged public discussion on "what has happened to Finnish capital in recent years".
     
Looking back at Finland's ten years as a member of the European Union, President Halonen said that membership has been "clearly positive" for Finland.
      She noted that Finland's position in security policy has become stronger during EU membership, and that the significance of the EU is growing in this respect.
     
The United Nations came under some criticism from Halonen. She said that the structures and working methods of the UN are not efficient in all ways any more. She said that new members should be taken into the Security Council.
      She also argued that instead of just passing resolutions every year, the UN should focus more on implementing them.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Poll: Halonen re-election in first round of 2006 no foregone conclusion (31.1.2005)
  President Halonen insists on UN or OSCE mandate for troop deployment (25.1.2005)
  Support in Defence Committee for EU mandate for deployment of forces (13.18.2005)
  Government defence policy report released - armed forces to cut over 1,000 jobs (27.9.2004)

Links:
  President of the Republic of Finland

Helsingin Sanomat