Vanhanen warns of risks of yearning for EU security guarantees

Matti Vanhanen

Sauli Niinistö

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Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen (Centre) has warned his rival Presidential candidate Sauli Niinistö (Nat. Coalition) not to suggest to Finns that their country suffers from a security deficit. In Vanhanen’s view, the National Coalition Party has not even defined what the alleged deficit comprises.
      The National Coalition Party has urged Finland to persuade the European Union to enact security guarantees even if a new constitution is not passed. Vanhanen feels that the goal is not realistic, and contains a risk, considering that Finland has not previously seen the security guarantee issue to be a problem.
      "If we were to advance the view that we should decide the matter as a separate issue, and the others were to decide not to do so, then we would have a problem", said Vanhanen on an interview programme on YLE TV Channel 1 on Saturday morning.
     
Niinistö sharply rejected Vanhanen’s view that striving for EU security guarantees would involve a risk of some kind.
      Niinistö said on Saturday that now would be a good opportunity to talk about security policy in Europe: he noted that the articles in the draft EU constitution concerning security guarantees were approved unanimously, and crisis management is moving forward better than expected.
      "I want to hear an answer to whether or not Finland wants to actively take part in building the European security structure, or not. I think that Finland should at least try", said Sauli Niinistö on Saturday.
      Social Democratic Party leader Eero Heinäluoma expressed agreement with Vanhanen, saying that Finland has no need to "bounce around on its own" on the issue.
      "Security matters need to be dealt with in a responsible manner, without starting out on any adventure initiatives", Heinäluoma said.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  National Coalition Party concerned about EU security guarantees (31.8.2005)

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