Closer cooperation between Finland and Nato could take some time

EU and NATO planning unofficial "transatlantic dinners"

Martin Erdmann

Markus Lyra

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NATO Deputy Secretary General Martin Erdmann was not able to promise progress in closer cooperation Partnership for Peace activities during his visit to Finland.
      The United States and the United Kingdom have called for closer cooperation with Finland. However, Erdmann emphasised that closer peace partnership with some countries is only under consideration in NATO.
      If it were implemented, Finland would be entitled to more information on the planning of NATO operations, and would also have a role in the decision-making.
     
Erdmann said that patience is now needed in the matter. Markus Lyra, Undersecretary of State at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs said after his discussions with Erdmann, that more detailed information on developing closer cooperation is likely to come by the autumn, when the NATO summit is held in the Latvian capital Riga. One of the issues at the meeting will be the new image of NATO’s mission.
      If Finland is invited into the NATO Response Force (NRF), Erdmann says that it will be able to join sometime next year. He did not want to give any more precise details.
      Erdmann would not take a stand on recent debate in Finland as to whether or not this country is non-allied. In his view, the matter is one for Finland to decide.
      However, he did emphasise that the door to NATO is open for Finland, if it wants full membership.
     
There were also discussions on the challenges facing cooperation between the EU and NATO, in light of Finland’s role as the holder of the EU Presidency from July to the end of the year. Problems range from the issues between Cyprus and Turkey, and various practical questions.
      Markus Lyra indicated that practical cooperation between the EU and NATO organisations leaves something to be desired, but that "in the field" cooperation works well.
      During the discussions, the idea of holding unofficial "transatlantic dinners", aimed at closer exchange of ideas between NATO and the EU, was put forward.
     
On Friday, Erdmann meets with the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, and with Finnish Minister of Defence Seppo Kääriäinen (Centre). His visit to Finland is part of routine contacts between Finland and NATO. Similar meetings are held twice a year.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Prime Minister Vanhanen welcomes NATO offer of increased cooperation (6.4.2006)

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