Finland’s Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto discuss with the Foreign Affairs (AFET) Committee the implications for the EU and Finland of the war in Ukraine as well as the country’s possible bid to join NATO.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

exchange of views

common security and defence policy (T)

EU - NATO (T)

EU - Finland (T)

WASZCZYKOWSKI, Witold Jan (ECR, PL)

HAAVISTO, Pekka (FI)

Finland's foreign and security policy in the light of the war in Ukraine: extracts from the exchange of views with Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs - EP Committee on Foreign Affairs

Title: Finland&apos;s foreign and security policy in the light of the war in Ukraine: extracts from the exchange of views with Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs - EP Committee on Foreign Affairs

SOUNDBITE (English), Witold Jan WASZCZYKOWSKI (ECR, PL), AFET Vice-Chair, As we all know, in 1939, Finland was a target of a war of aggression launched by Kremlin that looks strikingly similar to the one we are witnessing these days. There are many paths that can be drawn between Finnish resistance in 1939 and Ukrainian resistance nowadays. However, what is also clear is that Russia's target in this war is not only the Ukraine, but the rule based international order and the stability of Europe as a whole. This obviously poses a threat first and foremost to all countries sharing a border with Russia. Thus is not surprising that Finland now wishes to join NATO.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, It's important to say that the war started by Russia jeopardises the security and stability of the whole of Europe. And Russia's act of aggression is a blatant violation of international law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, In recent weeks and months, a recurring question has been how we in Finland see that these changes will affect our security.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, The unpredictable behaviour of Russia is an imminent issue. Russia is more prepared to carry out operations that are also high risk operations for Russia itself.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Russia has the ability and readiness to put pressure on its neighbours to rapid force deployments. And by bringing more than 100000 troops to the border without mobilisation of the civil population in the country.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Finland is not facing an immediate military threat, maintaining national have room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice remain integral parts of Finland's foreign security and defence policy. Although at the end of April, the government approved and presented to the parliament the report on changes in Finland security environment. The report examines actions to develop our national defence capability. The EU dimension and bilateral cooperation with close partners, including NATO.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, During the past months, the public support for NATO membership has soared. In Finland, being now somewhere around 70 percent. Strong popular support has been expressed in extensive polling. It has been followed by thorough consideration and respected decision by Finland political parties.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Should Finland decide to apply, the accession of Finland would strengthen the security and stability of the Baltic Sea region of Northern Europe. Finland is a regional security provider and it would further strengthen NATO as a future ally. From NATO's perspective, Finland holds solid democratic credentials that meet NATO membership criteria and has a strong and credible national defence that is interoperable with NATO. We are convinced that Finland would bring added value to NATO. Our wartime strength of the Defence Forces is twenty two hundred eighty thousand troops and the trained reserve is nine hundred thousand men and women.

SOUNDBITE (English), Pekka HAAVISTO, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs, In addition to Finland's strong partnership with NATO, Finland has a broad range of bilateral partnership partnerships in security and defence with NATO allies and non NATO countries and is a strong advocate of both bilateral and EU defence cooperation. Ladies and gentlemen, Russia's invasion is also an attack against the entire European security order.