THE ENVIRONMENT OF FINLAND'S SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY

The stability in the areas close to Finland has increased during the last few years. The enlargement of the EU and NATO has improved security throughout the region. The same trend has been supported by changes in Russia, which, on the other hand, has led the country to seek a stronger international role for itself again. Although the threat of a conventional war has receded, particularly in Europe, Finland's security is also linked through globalization to the wider international environment. The new threats targeted in recent years at comprehensive security have started to be reflected to an increasing degree in the external and internal security of European countries. For that reason the following examination starts with broader international developments.

International structures handed down from the time of the Cold War, which lasted many decades, and the cooperation system based on states' sovereignty are the subject of many changes and challenges. As yet the international community does not have a completely clear, unified understanding of how to respond to the challenges, as can be seen from the different attitudes of many European countries and the United States to the war in Iraq.

Terrorism is gaining new strength from extremist groups of radical Islamists. Uncertainty is also heightened by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. While bringing new opportunities, the process of globalization tends to exacerbate inequalities. Risks of different crises related to internal development of societies are on the increase. Interdependence among states strengthens common security but there are risks attached to it.

Terrorism has been around for centuries, but the new kind of networked terrorism aimed at destruction on a massive scale is a new phenomenon. It takes particular advantage of the vulnerability of Western societies, but it is present everywhere. A wide range of means must be used to combat this phenomenon, and particular attention must be given to the root causes of terrorism as well.

Although each country is itself responsible for the security of its citizens, it is essential to have effective international cooperation and to strengthen the international legal order. While the debate over how the new challenges should be tackled is a heated one, there is broad agreement that the situation can only be managed by pursuing both positive, collaborative solutions and opportunities for imposing sanctions of different kinds. Considerable differences of opinion exist, however, regarding the use of force and its legitimacy in different situations.

Pressures on the international system are being felt in all areas, including the work of the United Nations and other international institutions. It is important to be able to develop their operations so that they should meet the security challenges of the new century.

Finland's immediate security is maintained in various ways, through foreign, security and defence policy measures. The nation's security is increasingly influenced not only by military but also economic and political developments in Europe and globally. It is also affected by the relations between the European Union and other key actors, such as the United States and Russia, and their collaboration in seeking resolutions to the world's crises. Far from being isolated from the rest of the world, Finland and its neighbouring areas are an integral part of the wider entity. This applies as much to the positive opportunities offered as to dangers and risks. Finland's position as a member of the European Union is of particular importance. Finland is sharing in the responsibility for international security to an ever-greater extent.