Speeches
Minister of Defence Jussi Niinistö at the Security Seminar in Stockholm
Mrs. Chairman, dear seminar guests,
I am happy to be able to start with a few current political guidelines, since the Finnish Government Report on Defence or so called “Defence White Paper” was approved last week by the Finnish Parliament. The Defence Report’s key goal is to ensure that Finland’s defence capability meets the requirements of the ever more challenging security environment.
As we all know, the military operating environment has already changed. Military activity has increased in the Baltic Sea region, as well as in the Arctic and Barents Sea area. We have noted that the early-warning period for military crises has become shorter. Also, the threshold for using force or show force has become lower. One can say, that power politics has indeed re-entered the European security policy agenda.
When speaking about our shared security environment, one obviously has to talk a bit about Russia. Alongside the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has demonstrated its sophisticated and wide-ranging air power in the Syrian War. Russia is clearly developing the capabilities of its armed forces and is also maintaining the capacity to manage a major military crisis. Russia has bolstered its military capability, response and readiness in our close vicinity.
Russia has displayed a strong resolve to re-establish its great power status. In the past Russia had a different toolkit for the near abroad states and for other foreign states; this approach seems to be changing. A single toolkit is taking shape: the tools of power politics that have been used for the near abroad can now be used also elsewhere – where Russia´s security interests are at stake.
Russia has demonstrated the ability to take swift strategic decisions. It uses coordinated military force and a wide range of other instruments in pursuing its political objectives.
In this context, I would also like to highlight the hybrid and cyber domains. The use of cyber or hybrid operations to gain political or military goals is part of modern tools of influence. Such operations are ongoing all the time and they do not respect national borders. It also seems that every time we see something unexpected. The challenge is to prepare for new events, not old ones. This is why we have this year established a European Centre for Countering Hybrid Threats in Helsinki. I am glad that both Sweden and the UK have joined the Centre.
The military-strategic importance of the Baltic Sea region has risen and military activity has intensified in the area. At the same time, the military footprint in the Arctic region has grown. The Kola Peninsula retains its military importance to Russia as a base with strategic weapons.
Ladies and gentlemen,
There are clear signs that also the Arctic region will be affected by these developments. The Arctic region has gained, already for the past decade, increasing attention by Arctic coastal states and beyond. The importance of the Arctic area is growing partly due to climate change allowing new areas to be utilized for a various commercial purposes. The rising level of commercial activity leads to growing risks of accidents and hazardous situations. But as the security political climate in Europe has changed, there are many indications that security issues, more military in nature, are about to reappear on the Arctic agenda over the upcoming years. The current security policy situation also has an impact on Arctic matters.
As mentioned before, Russia is significantly increasing its military capabilities and presence in the Arctic region. Perhaps the single most important Arctic military feature is Russia’s vast nuclear armament deployment in the Kola Peninsula. But to be honest, all Arctic Ocean littoral states have started to develop their arctic military capabilities. The aim is to be ready for the challenges of operating in this harsh environment.
Arctic cooperation has mainly been handled within the framework of the Arctic Council, which does not deal with issues of military security and defence. There are several multinational forums to tackle the Arctic safety and security challenges, such as the Arctic Coast Guard Forum and the Arctic Security Forces Round Table. However, none of the forums handle Arctic security policy questions. This has led to a somewhat blurred and too optimistic picture of the overall security prospects in the area.
Relevant nations and organisations should prepare themselves for the upcoming ice free areas which allow growing markets and a much more active Arctic than we can see today. It is very important to be noticed by the safety, security and defense organizations, too.
As stated, cooperation is needed in the Arctic between states and civil/military officials. On the military side, it is important at least from an unintentional crises and accident prevention perspective. This is also important to do with Russia and also in the Baltic Sea area. I think everyone wants to prevent this kind of events to the last.
Due to the change in the security situation in our close vicinity, the demands on defence and cooperation have grown. Finland both strengthens her national defence and intensifies international defence cooperation as a militarily non-aligned country.
Defence cooperation is important to Finland’s defence capability. It also enhances deterrence and improves the chances of receiving political and military assistance when needed.
Peacetime cooperation lays the foundation for cooperation during crises. Today, Finland has signed the documents for joining the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). JEF is one of the important parts of our defence cooperation network. I am glad, that also Sweden has today joined the cooperation. Both Sweden and the UK are important partners for Finland and this gives our cooperation yet another dimension. We believe that the cooperation will enhance our national defence capability and deepen cooperation with our partners.
To conclude, I would like to point out two things:
Firstly, the military operating environment has changed and it is in a flux. The consequences of this change are estimated to continue for a long time. This will be reflected also in the Arctic region and we need to take that into account.
Secondly, the operating environment requires maintaining and developing the national defence capability by all of us. In the case of Finland, this will be supported through enhanced resources, updating our legislation and deepening defense cooperation.
Thank you for your attention.