Dr. Aatos Erkko criticises Finnish foreign policy as inflexible

Aatos Erkko

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Dr. Aatos Erkko, the former chairman and the largest single owner of the SanomaWSOY media group, has criticised Finnish foreign policy as rigid and fearful.
      In an interview in a special version of Valitut Palat, the Finnish edition of Reader's Digest, Erkko says that Finland's leaders have failed in dealing with Finnish foreign relations both in the East and West.
      Erkko says in the interview that Finnish foreign policy is currently congealed - not only with respect to the United States, but in general.
      "It is stiff, and fraught with fear. There is an unwillingness to touch anything."
     
Commenting on a speech last year at the United Nations by President Tarja Halonen, Erkko said that it was truthful, but not very diplomatic.
      In the speech, Halonen said that the war in Iraq conducted by the US-led coalition was in violation of international law.
      Erkko also feels that the time is not right for Finland to join NATO.
      He hopes that Finland could attract more foreign experts, investors, and companies. The best way to achieve this would be education.
      In the interview, Erkko discusses the future of newspapers and magazines. He said that he does not believe in the long-term viability of free-distribution newspapers and sensational tabloid journalism.
      He said that he also has doubts about the feasibility of a massive Nordic television giant. 


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President Halonen at United Nations: Iraq War was illegal (22.9.2004)

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