Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends of comprehensive security,
Comprehensive security forms the foundation of resilience in Finnish society. This foundation is laid down in the Security Strategy for Society. In this context, I would like to highlight three observations I have made during the meetings, travels and decision-making situations I have had during my first year as President.
Firstly, we have an operating model that is excellently suited for the current security environment and of which we can be proud of.
Secondly, today internal and external security are now increasingly intertwined. This will have its consequences for comprehensive security.
Thirdly, we all, as individuals and together, make up the security of our nation.
Comprehensive security is a typically Finnish approach to security. Its seeds were sown after our experiences during the Second World War. We understood that Finland, as a society, can only cope if we act seamlessly together, with unity in our goals, pragmatism in our cooperation.
Comprehensive security means collaboration between the authorities, business community, organisations and citizens. In other words, it is a matter that belongs to all of us.
In this day and age, a comprehensive approach to security is of immense value. In this security environment and in this era of strategic competition, efforts can be made to use against us almost anything that is part of our common good. Attempts may be made to turn our strengths into weaknesses. Threats will be targeted at our society and critical infrastructure – some of them unintentional and others deliberately caused.
Comprehensive security is an efficient, if not even the only, way to respond to today’s complex security threats. It is the right tool use in an era of unrest.
Comprehensive security helps us secure all functions of society and all critical infrastructures, be they physical, digital or social.
If we look around the world, to the West or to the East, we realise that in other countries security, the economy and technology are completely intertwined with politics and objectives. Therefore, we have to be able to use our own toolbox in an integrated way.
At the same time, the elements of our security must be in balance. In a world of strong interdependencies, we are as strong as the weakest link of our comprehensive security.
Finland is an open society. Openness means free media, lively civil dialogue, democratic decision-making and respect for the rule of law. Hostile actors may try to use this openness against us. Sometimes we are frustrated by the system’s unresponsiveness and slowness. But ultimately, openness and democracy are strengths. They anchor our decisions in society and strengthen citizens’ trust in the system.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Security Strategy for Society confirms the truth that internal and external security cannot be separated. I therefore welcome the fact that the foreign, security and defence policy elements of the strategy have been strengthened. This is what our changed operating environment requires.
The strategy underscores not only preparedness, but also our ability to respond to disruptions and crises, our response. Recent events in the Baltic Sea emphasise the importance of response capability. Rapid reaction, actions by authorities, such as seizing the vessel in the Eagle S case, minimising the impacts of disturbances and rapid repair of damages. All these are part of effective response.
Attribution is also a response. We do not jump to conclusions or do things in haste, but we attribute actions when there is reason to do so.
The new strategy will strengthen our ability to respond more actively to crises caused by external state actors. This takes us to the core of foreign and security policy. Our actions may have impacts on our security policy environment. If we understand the overall picture, we as Finland can act with unity and determination.
It is also clear that Finland’s scope for action has increased through international cooperation. In particular, the role of the EU is significant and grown in recent years. NATO membership, on the other hand, has given us a new frame of reference and new instruments.
We are not just a passive recipient. Response capability is a part of Finland’s agency. We must maintain a strong resilience to crises, but as part of this we must have an active capacity to anticipate and act. Both nationally and in international cooperation.
Dear friends,
Security concerns us all. As citizens, we need physical, psychological, social and ethical capacity to function.
Citizens are the foundation of security, both individually and collectively. No authorities can replace citizens acting for security.
Psychological resilience is crucial. Citizens must be able to trust each other and the authorities. We must resist any developments that would create or deepen divisions. I have often stressed the importance of a culture of listening and respectful discussion in Finnish society. The value of trust and a culture of discussion becomes even more evident during disruptions.
We need to understand how different individuals and groups think. But to understand, we need to be able to listen. Especially in the current cyber and information environment, it is also wise to take a moment to consider the potential consequences of our words and actions.
Finally, I would like to thank the Security Committee for its work and underline its unique role in the Finnish model. The Security Committee also has probably the best snapshot of the state of comprehensive security. This gives the Committee a good vantage point from which to guide people in finding correct and up-to-date information.
I would also like to extend my thanks to the authors of the Security Strategy for Society. The operating model described in the strategy is working well here in Finland. It is also attracting interest and respect in other parts of the world. We have every reason to be proud. However, comprehensive security is a bit like democracy, an agreement that we have to confirm every day by our own actions. I therefore hope we are all prepared to maintain it and to develop it further. As individuals and all together.
