NEWS ANALYSIS: Finland tries to make its voice heard

Competition increases for attention of larger countries and entities

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By Kari Huhta
     
      It is only in maps that are produced in Finland that Finland stands in the middle. In many others it is either on the edge or in a corner. In EU countries it is quite common for Finland to be out of the frame as being too northerly and distant.
      The location on the map needs to be taken into consideration when Finland tries to have its voice heard in foreign affairs.
      Attempts to nudge Finland’s foreign policy profile upwards are being made with the help of a cluster of projects and policy lines. At the same time, the EU’s new common foreign policy is taking its first faltering steps, and power relationships around the world are confused, owing to the economic crisis.
     
“A small country needs to be quick, nimble, and ready to take initiatives”, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party).
      On Wednesday, President Tarja Halonen and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) hosted the Baltic Sea Action Summit, a meeting brimming with good will. A couple of weeks earlier Stubb proposed a number of ways in which the EU and the United States could strengthen their relations. Initiatives were made at the Foreign Ministry on relations with Africa, as well as Central Asia. More such papers are expected on areas including the Arctic regions.
      According to Stubb, Finland’s voice is being heard on the foreign policy level better than it has been in a long time. The situation is also not seen as completely hopeless by the leader of the Parliamentary group of the opposition Social Democratic Party, MP Eero Heinäluoma.
      “The general policy line has been one of adapting to the times”, he said, but also found some things to criticise.
      Mika Aaltola, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs sees “a clear lack of initiative.”
      He has not warmed up to the initiatives that have been made.
     
As Finland was making its own initiatives, Catherine Ashton, the EU’s new foreign affairs leader, was setting up a new foreign affairs administration, accompanied by a good deal of criticism. She was criticised, among other things, for poor visibility in the launch of rescue efforts for the Haiti earthquake.
      “Criticism of the common security policy is unreasonable at this point”, Stubb said.
      The success of the EU’s foreign policy is important for Finland. According to Stubb, the EU’s foreign policy strengthens Finland’s possibilities to wield influence, without neglecting the country’s own foreign policy. Heinäluoma feels that Finland should put more effort into the EU’s defence and security policy.
      Aaltola feels that if the EU’s foreign policy does not gain strength, then “the card that Finland plays will not bring added value”.
     
Europe should be capable of strengthening its relations with the United States, for instance. Stubb warned of the danger of weakened relations with the US in a speech he held in London in late January.
      His proposals included that of a free trade agreement between the EU and the USA, as well as the same kind of solidarity clause that exists in the EU’s Lisbon Treaty.
      Who listens when Finland makes these kinds of proposals, if the voices of the larger European countries are not audible as they once were?
      Stubb’s proposals were originally put forward in a joint report by international research institutes, the drafting of which was supported by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. It gives the proposals a wider audience, but it does not guarantee results.
     
When evaluating the possibilities that countries have of wielding influence, Finland is constantly compared to Norway and Sweden, whose significance exceeds their physical size. Norway has money, and Sweden is bigger than its neighbours.
      “We do not have a single strong base from which to push forward”, Stubb admitted. In his view, Finland can reach the same level by being active.
      According to Heinäluoma, Finland is at the same level as Sweden in wielding an influence, but is behind Norway. Both Heinäluoma and Aaltola feel that Finland should raise its profile, especially in relations with Russia.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 14.2.2010


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Stubb proposes free trade agreement and “marriage council” for EU and USA (28.1.2009)

KARI HUHTA / Helsingin Sanomat
kari.huhta@hs.fi