Tuomioja wants Sweden to be Finland’s partner in EU force
Foreign ministers praise common views on security issues in Stockholm
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Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said in Stockholm on Thursday evening that Finland and Sweden have so much in common in security policy, that one Foreign Minister could represent both countries.
At a discussion on security policy held at Stockholm’s Finnish Cultural Institute, Tuomioja met Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds, who voiced agreement with Tuomioja’s ideas.
"As you have seen, there is so much in common in Finnish and Swedish security policy, that perhaps just one common speech would have been enough at this event. This gives us, Finland and Sweden, a unique opportunity to participate actively in the promotion of European security, and to bear common responsibility in preventing and combatting global security problems. We do not plan to lose this possibility", Tuomioja said.
Both Tuomioja and Freivalds indirectly wooed each other as partners in the EU’s new rapid deployment forces, which could be sent to crisis areas at five days’ notice.
Although opinions in Finland and Sweden appear to be quite similar, there are sometimes considerable differences in the way issues are discussed in the two countries.
With this in mind, Tuomioja noted that the debate on security policy that is currently underway in Finland could give the impression that Finland is in the grip of a deep identity crisis. He insisted, however, that this is not the case.
Tuomioja lamented that the national debate has focused on the promotion of NATO membership, or opposition to it. The debate has tended to overshadow many important facts, and changes to the security environment.
"Membership in the European Union is the basis of our security policy today, and it is the most important factor defining our position", Tuomioja noted.
He also said that Finland would hold on to its so-called NATO option, and the possibility to apply for membership in the organisation, if such a move is called for by a change in Finland’s position, or by development inside NATO.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 16.4.2004 - TODAY |
 Tuomioja wants Sweden to be Finland’s partner in EU force |
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