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Esteemed Heads of Missions, Ambassadors,
In August 2008, I had the honour of addressing the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission in the capacity of Minister for Foreign Affairs. In my speech, I examined the turning point taking place in the world politics at the time through the war in Georgia. I said that our time is an era of overlapping systems, where the nation-state and power politics are about to make a comeback. They will take the place left vacant after the retreat of multilateral cooperation and international organisations. This development continued in 2014 and culminated in 2022 in the Russian invasion of its sovereign neighbour.
Today, we are living a new era. A war is raging in Europe and global power relations are in a state of flux. This must be reflected in the way we see the world and our place in it, and in how we act.
Geopolitics has made a comeback. It also means the comeback of diplomacy. Your work is now particularly important. By our example and modus operandi we can contribute to what the new world order will become like. It requires hard work and know-how.
The aim must be to strengthen Finland’s position and influence in the world. We are transitioning from active stability policy towards values-based realism.
I define values-based realism as a set of universal values based on freedom, human rights and international rules that take into account the realities of global diversity, culture and history of the nation-states, regions and continents. The global problems cannot be solved only with those who share the same views with us.
Finland’s idea of itself is no longer just to “survive”. Instead, we are an active player, seeking opportunities in various directions. We are a reliable partner and ally, a stable Nordic country and the happiest county in the world. We have know-how in new technologies, clean transition solutions, comprehensive security and many other areas that interest others.
I perceive our role and actions in this era through three main points: the Euro-Atlantic relations, Ukraine and Russia, and our global influence.
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I begin with Euro-Atlantic relations.
As a result of our memberships in NATO and the EU, we have finally and fully confirmed our position as part of the Western value community where we have belonged in spirit throughout our independence. As the recent Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy states, the main goals of our foreign and security policy 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. We no longer do this work alone. We will never again be in the grey area.
Many of my foreign colleagues have been wondering about the quick change of mind the Finnish people had regarding NATO membership. How is it possible that the support for joining the alliance rose from around 20 per cent to 80 per cent in such a short time? In my opinion, there is nothing to wonder about it. Finnish people are values-based realists. When the circumstances around us changed rapidly and radically, the people drew their rational conclusion based on realism.
Our integration into NATO has advanced very well, and the goals we set for this phase have been achieved. Finland will be organised under Joint Force Command Norfolk, and we will get the Land Component Command (LCC) we aimed for, the Forward Land Forces (FLF) model tailored for us, and the first Finnish Assistant Secretary General. This is a good time to stop and acknowledge how well everything has gone. The work has continued from one government and presidential term to the next. Therefore, I would like to extend my thanks to my predecessor and the previous Government, as well as the politicians, public officials and Parliament working on these matters now. We have done all this together, united.
Finland is respected by its allies. Even admired. Together with other Nordic countries, we are strong providers of security. Our defence capabilities and comprehensive security model are well known, and others want to learn about them. Even though we are a new member in NATO and a small country in many respects, in terms of the weight we carry we are a medium-sized NATO ally. I urge you to make the most of this. We should strike while the iron is hot.
However, we still have a lot to learn. Being a member of the Alliance requires us to adapt our way of thinking and our operating culture. Seamless cooperation between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence is more important than ever. Close collaboration with the authorities responsible for internal security is equally important. I hope that all of you pay attention to this matter. As your Commander-in-Chief, I also underscore the fact that the respect of our allies is based on our ability to contribute to the core mission of NATO, in other words, the professional skills and capabilities of our defence forces.
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The return of geopolitics has also infected the economy. The intensified strategic competition, between the U.S. and China in particular, means that risks and dependencies need to be examined with greater care than before. With our allies, we need to pay particular attention to the interfaces of the economy, technology and security. Finland has a lot to offer; in many sectors we punch above our weight and are a sought-after partner.
You as diplomats, and the work that you can do together with our companies and industries, are even more important than before. As the latest examples of this I would like to mention the ICE Pact agreed with the United States and Canada, and the cooperation agreements on strategic sectors, such as quantum technology and critical minerals, with various countries.
Identifying opportunities like these and taking them forward is one of the key tasks of ambassadors. Just touching the surface is not enough: even when dealing with difficult issues, and particularly then, it is important to study the subject in depth. Otherwise, it is difficult to achieve results.
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The relationship between Finland and our strongest NATO ally, the United States, is closer than ever. The same need to strike while the iron is hot applies to this as well. Over the past couple of weeks, I have met three delegations of US senators and House representatives who have all been familiar with Finland and our situation. Naturally, it matters who will become the next US President. But it is also clear that Finland will get along and work with any US administration.
We cannot discuss Euro-Atlantic relations without mentioning the European Union. The EU has often been criticised, but in recent years the European cooperation has shown its strength. In difficult times, the importance of integration has been recognised. As the global disintegration has intensified, the EU has been closing ranks. One important goal is to enhance the European defence industry, and progress has been made in this sector. The EU is the most important framework of our foreign and security policy. It is also a means to enhance our global influence. We are being seen and heard as part of the Union.
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Heads of Mission,
In foreign and security policy, we need to weigh values, realities and interests on a daily basis. Shall we sell weapons to an authoritarian country that is fighting against terrorism? Shall we buy weapons necessary for our own defence from countries whose policies do not correspond with ours? How and on what grounds do we allocate our development aid? These are difficult questions.
This brings me to the second main point. Namely, there is one issue on which it is easy to say that our values and interests meet: on supporting Ukraine. It is in accordance with both our values and interests that Ukraine wins this war and reaches a just and lasting peace it is aiming for.
If Russia feels that it has succeeded, Europe and our region in particular will be at a risk of a long era of instability. And not just Europe – the repercussions will be global.
Finland is one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine. We support Ukraine with defence materiel, by means of development and humanitarian aid and politically. The war has lasted a long time, but we must not get tired.
Unfortunately, in this time and age, there are a lot of wars and conflicts. We do our best to play an active role in finding solutions to them. However, it is totally clear that in our foreign and security policy, Ukraine has the priority.
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Our relationship with Russia has changed permanently. In the long term, we need to find a way to live with our neighbour. But we do not define our foreign and security policy solely through Russia. There is no going back.
We are currently the target of many kinds of hybrid influence activities by our neighbour. So let us be careful not to make it any easier for these operations to succeed. Having patience is a Finnish virtue. Let us not react on impulse to every little noise we hear. When the aim is to generate confusion and control the media space, even well-meant comments may play into the hands of the counterparty.
Russia is now ruled by a regime waging an illegal war. However, there have been many kinds of phases in the history of Russia. I hope that, sometime in the future, Russia could live with itself without constituting a threat to its neighbours.
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Finland is no longer in the grey area. But globally there are more and more shades of grey. To put it simply, three spheres of power have emerged: the Global West, the Global East, and the Global South. Power is being redistributed. Finland’s response to this is to increase our global influence – which brings me to my third point.
When multilateral co-operation structures are retreating, bilateral cooperation and different groups become increasingly important. My thesis is that the Global South will play a decisive role in what the new world order will look like. Countries of key importance with whom we should deepen our relations include not only the major countries of the Global South, but also the middle powers in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and Central Asia. I will do my best to build and deepen these relations. I encourage you to do the same. Consider, in which issues we could promote common interests even with those who may not share our values. Whether it is about trade, well-being or measures to combat climate change, or some other shared interest, be active and get acquainted with the matters.
I also encourage you to show a certain kind of courage in your office: in your reports and recommendations, bring up your own analyses even when they are contrary to the main trends. It is your task to look at the world from Finland’s perspective from where you are stationed – no one else will do that on your behalf.
In our region, Ukraine is an existential question. At the same time, we must recognise that for many other countries the key issue is what will happen in the Middle East. Finland’s stand is clear. We are not taking sides with either Israel or Palestine. We are on the side of peace. We support and promote the two-state solution. When – not if – we recognise the Palestinian State, we will do it when it serves the objective of peace. This is also values-based realism. An attitude is not a strategy. Having an opinion is not enough. You have to ask what you can achieve with an opinion. In particular, how to achieve a goal based on the opinion.
Whether discussing Ukraine or Gaza, the international rules are the measure we use to evaluate the operations of any nation and demand that they be made liable for their actions. The rules are being called to question, they are being broken, and there is a willingness to develop them to correspond with the changing power relations. However, they are the best framework for managing the stability of international relations.
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Dear friends,
The leading idea I have highlighted throughout my speech is values-based realism. I have tried to illustrate it through examples. Values-based realism is not a black-and-white doctrine or a mode of operation. But the world is not black and white either. Both have contradictions.
Internationally, the best way of promoting our values continues to be through showing example. Not by dictating from a superior position. The democratic society based on human rights, for which we are known, must not be taken for granted, and our system will not last forever if we do not cherish and develop it.
The new security situation brings us, also domestically, face to face with situations where we need to weigh our values and realism. The past months have shown that when we are being challenged, the best response is an open and honest discussion. It serves as a basis from where we advance to solutions, remaining as united as possible. Open and democratic society where people trust the institutions and everyone is kept involved, is the strongest also when encountering hybrid influence activities.
Politics is made in time. Throughout Finland’s history, situational awareness has been one of our strengths. We have been capable of making decisions based on realism, holding on to our basic values even during the hardest times.
During the first six months as the President of the Republic of Finland, I have been happy to notice that this still remains our strength. I want to thank the whole Government and Parliament for close and effective cooperation. We do not always agree, but we share the same goal: the best interest of Finland. I believe that we also share the view that in the new era Finland’s global role should be that of a playmaker. That of a country reading what is happening on the field and making efforts to pursue common goals.
I also extend my thanks to everyone present in this hall and the whole Ministry for Foreign Affairs staff. It has been a busy few months: we have had multiple state visits as well as bilateral meetings in Finland and abroad. The telephone lines to other world leaders have also been busy. The work has been rewarding and productive. It would not have been possible without your support.
When in a few years’ time we get together for the Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission, I hope that Finland’s values-based realism has contributed to having made the world more stable, to the international system having corrected itself and to having further strengthened Finland’s international status. This requires an active approach from all of you.
Thank you.
