President says Finnish foreign policy line “stable, not stagnant”

Halonen addresses 50-year-old Paasikivi Society

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President Tarja Halonen emphasised on Thursday evening, at the 50th anniversary meeting of the Paasikivi Society, that Finland’s foreign policy is stable.
      In her speech to the prestigious forum on foreign affairs issues, Halonen said that in recent decades, the policy line has been very stable, and that it continues to be “stable, forward-looking, and living in its time”. She added, “I would not call it stagnant”.
     
The President feels that stability is reinforced by public opinion, as well as the present model of foreign policy leadership, “in which Parliament, the President of the Republic, and the government are committed to close cooperation”.
      “Nobody can act alone. Cooperation and input of all three is needed for significant decision making”, Halonen said.
      She has previously used this argument in defence of the present foreign policy decision-making system, against demands for constitutional change that would further reduce presidential powers.
      Halonen feels that not even the participation of the President in EU summits is a problem. “It can be made into a problem, if someone wants to.”
     
Halonen was originally to have briefed the Paasikivi Society on the government’s upcoming defence report, but when it was delayed, the President put forward general policy lines.
      She called for open and critical discussion, “Going to the cures” on matters such as landmines, cluster weapons, nuclear weapons, and military alliances.
      She was slightly critical of the rapid response forces of the European Union and NATO.
     
Halonen feels that “illogical duplication” still exists between the rapid response forces of the EU and NATO. In her view, the organisations should complement, and not compete with each other.
      Halonen said that she felt confident that Finland could become a member of the UN Security Council for the 2013-2014 period, although the matter is by no means certain.
      In addition to Finland, Luxembourg and Australia are competing for the two seats reserved for countries of the Western group.
      In Halonen’s view, membership in the Security Council would strengthen Finland’s international position.
     
The special 50th anniversary meeting chose two new honorary members for the Paasikivi Society. They were former Prime Minister Harri Holkeri (Nat. Coalition Party) and veteran diplomat Jaakko Iloniemi.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  COMMENTARY: Three plates, three different opinions (31.8.2008)
  Stubb to Lavrov: “Finland is not neutral” (10.11.2008)
  Parliament fails to snare Foreign Minister Stubb over NATO comments (11.9.2008)

See also:
  Russian minister says Halonen influenced decision to postpone wood tariff hikes (28.11.2008)

Links:
  Paasikivi Society

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