Finland published its new foreign and security policy report on Thursday — one that marks a 'new era' since its accession to Nato just over a year ago.
The report based on the programme of the government led by Petteri Orpo (NCP) in cooperation with the President Alexander Stubb stated that Finland’s foreign and security policy is founded on "value-based realism".
Its main objectives are to "safeguard Finland’s independence and territorial integrity, to avoid becoming involved in a military conflict and to improve the security and well-being of the people of Finland".
Finland's security environment has fundamentally changed due to Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine since the last report, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen (NCP) said at a press conference on Wednesday.
The previous report was published by Sanna Marin's SDP-led government in 2020, and was revised with a topical update in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Finland became a member of Nato in April 2023.
1. Foreign and security policy for a new era
According to the new report, the threat of Russian military action expanding beyond Ukraine cannot be ruled out. Finland and the EU must prepare for that possibility.
At the same time, power relations around the world are in turmoil and the rules-based international order is being challenged, especially by China and Russia.
The report also emphasises comprehensive security, including economic competitiveness, technological capability, sustainable public finances and social and ecological sustainability.
According to the principle of "value-based realism," Finland remains committed to democracy, the rule of law, international law, human rights, peace, equality and non-discrimination. However, it must also engage with countries that do not emphasise these values in the same way, the report said.
2. Relations with Russia frozen
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has "fundamentally affected the bilateral relations between Finland and Russia," the report said.
Diplomatic relations between the countries remain functional. Communication channels between public authorities have been maintained in sectors essential for Finland, for instance, in connection with border security, cooperation in crime prevention, transport and security of supply.
The report said Finland will refrain from building political relations with Russia for as long as it continues its war of aggression in Ukraine and its violations of international law. However, it will strive to support efforts to expand the room for manoeuvre for civil society in Russia and will maintain and develop its knowledge of Russia.
According to the report, at the moment, Finland is not facing an immediate military threat from Russia, but it must be prepared for the use or threat of military force against Finland
It is expected that Russia will continue its hybrid tactics against Finland — an example of this is the diversion of asylum seekers to Finland's eastern border. Finland will be more prepared to handle threats to critical infrastructure.
3. Nato and the US secure Finland's defence
According to the report, Nato membership has raised the threshold for military action against Finland.
Finland is part of Nato’s collective defence and is, therefore, covered by its security guarantees, while also maintaining a strong national defence capability..
Finland has not set any national restrictions on its Nato membership and participates in the Alliance’s activities across the board, according to the report. Finland is also actively involved in the formulation of Nato's policy on nuclear deterrence.
It is expected that with Finland and Sweden's membership of Nato, Russia will strengthen its military presence and operations on its western borders.
The 2020 Report described the United States as an important and close partner for Finland. In the new report, the western superpower is referred to as a "key strategic partner and ally for Finland".
4. EU remains main community of values
Despite the new alliances, the European Union will retain its position as Finland’s most "important community of values and security and channel of foreign policy influence."
The war has strengthened the role of the EU as a foreign, security and defence policy actor. The EU has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia and provided tens of billions in aid to Ukraine.
Finland's political and financial support, defence and humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue as long as they are needed, the report said. The same will be pursued at the EU level.
Finland also advocates for a stronger role for the European Investment Bank (EIB) in funding the defence industry.
According to the report, in the face of the challenges posed by the war and the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU has shown its strength as a community of values. The will of European countries to join the European Union is a sign of the EU’s appeal, and "enlargement is back on the EU agenda".
5. No hard line on China
Although China is a tacit supporter of Russia in its war against Ukraine, the report emphasises realism in its dealings with the eastern superpower. No hard-line positions are taken.
"China will remain an important trading partner for Finland in the future," the report read.
Both the United States and the EU view interdependencies and global challenges, such as responding to climate change, as necessitating cooperation with China.
At the same time, China’s aims of controlling critical production and supply chains also pose a challenge to Finland and Europe.
"We must be aware of the growing risks, prepare for them and prevent them," the report said.
6. Deportation law
The report also addresses current means of preventing the phenomenon of instrumentalised immigration. This refers to a foreign state directing asylum seekers to Finland's borders with the aim of influencing the government.
The Orpo-led government has tabled a proposal for a so-called "Deportation Law" which would allow people to be temporarily prevented from seeking asylum at or near the Finnish border. The government's proposal has been heavily criticised by experts.
The report takes an indirect position on the issue: "Finland will participate in and influence the legal dialogue on developing legal practice concerning instrumentalised migration to ensure that the nature, extent and seriousness of instrumentalisation will be taken into account as comprehensively as possible."
According to the report, Finland considers it particularly important to ensure that EU level regulation, including the Schengen rules, provides sufficient national freedom of action in these situations
It stated the EU must respect essential state functions, including those designed to maintain public order and safeguard national security and human rights.
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