New Foreign Minister sees Russia as opportunity, not a threat
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Finland's new Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb (Nat. Coalition Party) kicked off his new job with a "three-part" foreign policy guideline on Friday.
None of the three parts began with the word "Russia".
Only when Stubb was asked of his relations with Russia, did the fresh Foreign minister mention that he had received a telegram from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. On Monday he is scheduled to hold telephone discussions with his Russian colleague
Stubb emphasised that Russia is an "opportunity" for Finland. Russia is a neighbour and a key partner. Cooperative network in different fields is extensive, and Russia is a central international player. "I don't see military threats in particular, which would be spoken very much of in Finland."
Speaking to Helsingin Sanomat, Stubb emphasised that he is a "global realist" in security policy. "It is naive to rely on tough measures alone", he emphasised.
An outspoken supporter of NATO membership, Stubb noted that Finland is not going into NATO during this government term; if there is a move in that direction sometime later, a referendum should be considered, he said.
Finland's priorities as a member of the EU are, in the view of Alexander Stubb, that first come the adjacent areas - the Nordic Countries, the Baltic States, and Russia, and also the United States.
As Stubb sees it, the expanded EU has split into an increasing number of cliques, where "bold" action is needed.
According to Stubb, a small country like Finland will manage in the world only by being "courageous and active".
"The US State Department already made contact, and a meeting is being arranged. A request for a meeting was made already in Bucharest (at the NATO summit), but because of formalities, I could not travel there."
Secondly, Stubb emphasised the importance of good cooperation within the government.
He spoke with President Tarja Halonen immediately on Wednesday, and on Monday, a working lunch is scheduled with the President.
Stubb also wants to secure the staunch support of Parliament for the government's foreign policy.
Thirdly, he promised to make foreign policy "something for all of the people".
Stubb immediately got the chance to take issue with a couple of burning issues. He said that Finland should increase its contribution to the operation in Afghanistan primarily through development cooperation.
Stubb does not believe that the US can withdraw from Iraq immediately. He noted that a coalition is fighting in Iraq, and that withdrawal should be dealt with through the mediation of the UN, the EU, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
None of the three parts began with the word "Russia".
Only when Stubb was asked of his relations with Russia, did the fresh Foreign minister mention that he had received a telegram from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. On Monday he is scheduled to hold telephone discussions with his Russian colleague
Stubb emphasised that Russia is an "opportunity" for Finland. Russia is a neighbour and a key partner. Cooperative network in different fields is extensive, and Russia is a central international player. "I don't see military threats in particular, which would be spoken very much of in Finland."
Speaking to Helsingin Sanomat, Stubb emphasised that he is a "global realist" in security policy. "It is naive to rely on tough measures alone", he emphasised.
An outspoken supporter of NATO membership, Stubb noted that Finland is not going into NATO during this government term; if there is a move in that direction sometime later, a referendum should be considered, he said.
Finland's priorities as a member of the EU are, in the view of Alexander Stubb, that first come the adjacent areas - the Nordic Countries, the Baltic States, and Russia, and also the United States.
As Stubb sees it, the expanded EU has split into an increasing number of cliques, where "bold" action is needed.
According to Stubb, a small country like Finland will manage in the world only by being "courageous and active".
"The US State Department already made contact, and a meeting is being arranged. A request for a meeting was made already in Bucharest (at the NATO summit), but because of formalities, I could not travel there."
Secondly, Stubb emphasised the importance of good cooperation within the government.
He spoke with President Tarja Halonen immediately on Wednesday, and on Monday, a working lunch is scheduled with the President.
Stubb also wants to secure the staunch support of Parliament for the government's foreign policy.
Thirdly, he promised to make foreign policy "something for all of the people".
Stubb immediately got the chance to take issue with a couple of burning issues. He said that Finland should increase its contribution to the operation in Afghanistan primarily through development cooperation.
Stubb does not believe that the US can withdraw from Iraq immediately. He noted that a coalition is fighting in Iraq, and that withdrawal should be dealt with through the mediation of the UN, the EU, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Helsingin Sanomat