Speeches
Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö at the Defence Attaché briefing in Helsinki
Dear Defence Attachés,
You have an important role in reporting back to your respective capitals about developments and thinking in Finnish security and defence policy. Therefore, I am glad to have the opportunity to address you here today.
I would like to start with the horrible acts of terror that struck Paris on Friday the 13th. As a result, France called for EU to invoke the mutual defence clause of the Lisbon Treaty. At the meeting of EU’s defence ministers, four days later, Europe answered to this call. Finland is for her part prepared and willing to show solidarity with France in accordance with and in the spirit of the EU treaties. Finland will act as it would hope other member states to act towards it and will assist France by any means in its power.
There are many possible ways in which we can give support to France. Finland's contribution could, for example, mean stepping up support in Erbil, northern Iraq, and in the military crisis management operations in Mali and the Mediterranean. The attacks have, however, also highlighted the limitations in our national legislation. The Finnish law stipulates that we cannot give direct military support abroad. The challenge of this limitation has actually been noted already a several years ago and a judicial group, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is already preparing legislative changes that would make it possible for Finland to both give and receive military assistance. Efforts will be made to swiftly finalize the drafting of this legislation.
I would like to point out that the decision taken by the EU was historical. Finland has always been a firm supporter of EU’s Security and Defence Policy and now we will see how the Lisbon Treaty will be interpreted in reality.
Besides for the Lisbon Treaty, legislative changes are also required because of our deepening bilateral defence cooperation with Sweden. The Defence Forces’ of both countries have presented a joint report with many proposals on how that cooperation can be strengthened. Some of the proposals will require changes in our national legislation. Especially so, since our countries are not only looking at cooperation in peacetime, but also during crises and war. The bilateral defence cooperation with Sweden is one clear priority in our international defence cooperation.
The situation in our security environment has unfortunately deteriorated. The attacks in Paris were a terrorist act. Even in Finland, we are not immune to that threat. But in addition, growing military activity and information operations have led to higher tensions in the Baltic Sea Region. The increased military activity taking place in our neighborhood means, that also we must raise our preparedness and ability to respond to hybrid threats.
Dear audience,
The nature of warfare has not changed - it is still a continuation of politics, but methods and tactics are evolving in time. The concept of hybrid warfare has also found its way to Finnish security policy debate, even the term and the content itself are really not that new. Hybrid warfare is, in brief, the systematic and coordinated use of different methods, like information operations, the use of Special operations forces, cyber-attacks, and conventional force, for actors’ political objectives. Still, at the end of this wide spectrum of different forms of power, lies a possibility of the use of ‘Brute Force’.
Stemming from our national comprehensive defence approach, Finland is relatively well prepared to face the various new challenges of hybrid warfare. Our concept of comprehensive security is up-to-date to combat current threats. The foundation is on inter-agency or inter-societal co-operation between government, business community and organizations - even citizens - while respecting the clear responsibilities of different authorities.
In Finland, the objective of our defence capability is to form a deterrence, a pre-emptive threshold that deters any use of or threat of military force against our country, and the strong capacity to repel acts of aggression against us. Our goal is to develop a defence capability tailored to our operating environment and resources. Our system is awake and alert, but we cannot be lulled into that. However, requirements for defence - like higher readiness - raise costs and changing environment demand new answers, including up-to-date legislation - for example in the field of intelligence. In a longer term, we have two major capability-related projects in front of us: the replacement of the Air Force’s Hornet Fleet and the replacement of ageing Navy warships. At the same time in a shorter term we have to cope with the current needs; train and equip our troops - particularly in the army - in a sufficient manner.
So how do we solve these questions that all nations now struggle with? We cannot do more with less anymore. I think the answer is very clear. The development of strong national defence capabilities is secured only in combination with active defence cooperation. It is an essential part of our defence, both in peacetime and war.
Our new Government Program states, that Finland will pursue an active foreign policy, strengthen the national defence capability and deepen international security and defence policy cooperation. At the same time, we have to be active security builders within the European area.
To face forthcoming security and defence challenges, the Government will prepare a Defence Report, for the first time in history, defining defence policy guidelines for the maintenance, development and exercise of defence capability. This will be done in parallel with the Government’s Foreign and Security Policy Report. Both of these reports will be ready at the end of 2016 or in the beginning of 2017.
In connection with the preparation of the Foreign and Security Policy report, the Government will also assess the effects of Finland’s possible NATO membership. Usually foreigners are quite interested in how we see a possible NATO membership in Finland. In the Government Program we agreed that Finland is a militarily non-allied state which is engaged in a practical partnership with NATO and it maintains the option to seek NATO membership.
Speaking of the Government Program, it also states that the Nordic countries, the European Union, NATO partnership, the OSCE and the UN form the framework for Finland’s international cooperation. In addition, Finland will maintain good bilateral relations with other countries. The Government will contribute to the security and stability of the Nordic region and the Baltic Sea region and strengthen Nordic cooperation. Defence cooperation with Sweden will be intensified. Estonia and the other Baltic States are important partners for Finland both in the EU and bilaterally. Naturally, also the cooperation with the United States is vital to us. The Government will strengthen extensive trans-Atlantic cooperation at both bilateral and EU levels.
To sum up, we have to secure that we maintain a strong national defence capability; including the right capabilities, sufficient resources and timely legislation, and that we are interoperable with like-minded partners. A strong national defence is backed up by diverse international defence cooperation. This is the best recipe for facing the challenges of tomorrow.
Thank you.