NATO Secretary General: Finland reliable partner to NATO

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer pays farewell courtesy visit to Finland

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

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Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer considers Finland a good partner to NATO.
      “Finland is an important and reliable partner for NATO both politically and for its participation in peacekeeping operations”, said de Hoop Scheffer in a joint press conference with the President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the President’s official residence of Mäntyniemi.
      The NATO Secretary General visited Finland on Monday.
      De Hoop Scheffer was on a farewell visit to Finland. In August, the Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen will take his place as the new head of the alliance.
      The subjects of the talks with President Halonen included, among other things, Finland’s participation in the NATO-led UN operation in Afghanistan.
     
Finland has promised to sent to Afghanistan around a hundred additional troops to provide support measures in the ISAF mission of securing the arrangement of the autumn’s presidential and provincial elections. Halonen emphasised the importance of election peace.
      “It is vital that the Afghan society will start bearing some responsibility.”
      De Hoop Scheffer admitted that the situation in the country is still extremely dangerous. Nevertheless, he feels supporting Afghanistan is worth the effort. “As far as Afghanistan is concerned, the solution is not a military one. The solution is called development and reconstruction”, said De Hoop Scheffer.
     
In recent weeks, Georgia has once again become a bone of contention between Russia and NATO. While Georgia is aspiring to become a member of NATO, Russia considers the country as part of its own sphere of influence.
      Russia is particularly vexed by a large military exercise to commence in Georgia this week. The exercise will be attended by 1,300 soldiers from 19 different countries.
      Russia has requested NATO call off the manoeuvre. According to the NATO Secretary General, however, the drill will take place as planned.
      “Every now and again there may be bumps in the relationship between NATO and Russia, but the truth is Russia needs NATO, and NATO needs Russia. Despite the differences of opinion, NATO and Russia will have to be able to carry on with a staunch partnership.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finland to send more troops to Afghanistan next summer (12.12.2008)

See also:
  Defence Ministry hopes to open direct flight connection to base in North Afghanistan in summer (29.4.2009)

Links:
  Ministry for Foreign Affairs Press Release, 13.3.2009
  Official ISAF site

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