President Medvedev promotes new security pact in Helsinki

Russian leader calls for “Helsinki Plus” agreement in speech at university

print this

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev used his first official state visit to Finland to market his favourite foreign policy project - a new European security agreement.
      According to Medvedev, the new pact would serve as a foundation for Euro-Atlantic cooperation in the “post ideological confrontation age”. He does not see the NATO alliance or the European Union as adequate systems, because not all countries are members.
     
“A new pact would not be a declaration, but rather a politically binding treaty that would prevent the splintering of security”, Medvedev said in a speech that he gave to an audience of invited guests at the auditorium of the University of Helsinki on Monday afternoon.
      To help achieve the agreement, Medvedev proposed a summit which would include “all countries and organisations operating in Europe”.
      “A summit is not organised overnight. The task is not easy”, he said.
     
Medvedev’s idea has raised considerable questions before.
      “I have had to explain the need for it”, he said.
      President Medvedev feels that an indication of a need for a new system is that “there are regional crises in the world.” One example of this was the war in South Ossetia in August last year.
     
Medvedev praised the way that Finland has provided opportunities for international negotiations.
      One good example that he mentioned was the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) in 1975, which established the concept of the “Spirit of Helsinki”.
      Now he sees a need for a “Helsinki Plus” treaty - a new Helsinki process for the new century.
      Four questions were put to the Russian president by members of the audience. One of them inquired as to Russia’s readiness to use energy in a sustainable manner.
      “In energy efficiency, many Russian factories are still in the stone age”, Medvedev admitted.
      He said that Russia hopes that it can get support in boosting energy efficiency from its European partners.
      Russia does not want to commit itself to a European energy treaty. Medvedev said that on Monday, Russia sent its partners a proposal for a new international energy treaty.
     
In discussions with Finnish President Tarja Halonen earlier in the day, there was so much to talk about that a press conference held after the meeting at the Presidential Palace was delayed by half an hour.
      The two presidents said that they had discussed economic matters, environmental policy, and security policy. President Halonen was very pleased with the atmosphere of the talks.
      Concrete topics that came up included the planned natural gas pipeline that is to run through the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. A Russian journalist asked if Russia can count on Finnish support in the implementation of the project.
      Halonen repeated the Finnish view, that the project is an environmental issue, and that the licencing process is taking place under Finnish law.
      “If it can be built in an ecologically safe manner, then we feel that it is a good project”, Halonen said.
      President Halonen also said that the Finnish and Russian prime ministers would meet in early June, at which time there will be more precise information about the scheduling of the licence process.
     
A Finnish journalist asked Medvedev if there is a problem in communications between him and some ministries, considering that decisions are not always implemented.
      The Russian delegation, which included Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, appeared to be amused by the question.
      Medvedev said that the question is a very common one.
      “If I knew who has disobeyed orders, I would fire him”, Medvedev answered.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  President Medvedev to make public appearance in Helsinki on Monday (16.4.2009)
  President Halonen hopes to learn more of role of Russian presidency during Medvedev visit (20.4.2009)

Links:
  Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at a banquet in honour of President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev and Mrs Medvedeva on 20 April 2009
  President of Russia (official website)

Helsingin Sanomat