Finland not declaring itself major peace mediator

Foreign Minister sees no friction between President and Prime minister in peace mediation issues

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Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) on Monday downplayed suggestions that there was any friction between Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi (Centre) and President Tarja Halonen on Finland’s role in peace mediation.
      On Monday the Prime Minister said that she would like to make Finland “a great country in peace mediation”. On the same day, President Halonen responded by saying that a country cannot become a great power in peace mediation or any other areas simply by wanting to do so.
     
Foreign Minister Stubb sees no real difference of opinion in the two perspectives.
      “I believe that she [Halonen] means nothing more than that the status must be earned through action. The Prime Minister undoubtedly agrees”, Stubb says.
     
So, can a country become a great power in peace mediation simply by declaring that it is one?
      “Absolutely not. The starting point for everything is that we should make this a national project, and we jointly consider what would improve the activity. After that we can put money into it.”
      “Credibility grows through know-how, and with participation.”
     
Kiviniemi also named peace mediation as a national project, calling on opposition parties to join the effort. Opposition Social Democratic Party chairwoman Jutta Urpilainen made a nearly identical initiative in March.
      “Finland needs to nurture its reputation as a great power of peacekeeping. Alongside this, Finland also needs to be a great power of peace mediation”, Urpilainen said at that time.
     
A report by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs was published in May, according to which establishing Finland as a major country in peace mediation would require both money and the establishment of research institutes as well as better cooperation with non-governmental organisations.
      Member of Parliament Pekka Haavisto (Green), who has established a reputation in peace mediation in Africa, saw the President’s comments as suggesting that there should be no discussion on great power status before the structures are in order.
      Haavisto calculates that with a few million euros in additional funding, Finland could achieve the level of Norway in peace mediation in ten years.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Africa envoy, MP Pekka Haavisto, does not expect quick peace in Somalia (5.2.2009)
  Finnish MP Pekka Haavisto to hold talks with warring sides in Somalia conflict (18.11.2008)
  Martti Ahtisaari wins 2008 Nobel Peace Prize (10.10.2008)
  The Negotiator (19.2.2006)

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