Speech by President of the Republic Tarja Halonen at the opening of the 172nd national defence course on 24 January 2005

Security is a basic human need. The concept of threats to our lives or society changes over time. Security is viewed more and more clearly as covering a broad spectrum. In military preparedness the focus in recent years has shifted from conventional war to managing different kinds of crises. International crisis management increasingly has to deal with internal conflicts instead of cross-border clashes.

Finland is a stable Nordic society. Still we too can find ourselves in the middle of a catastrophe caused by man or a natural disaster. Destruction can take place far away, in a neighbouring area or even in our own country.

Broad international cooperation is necessary to manage and resolve different crises. International cooperation is also important to prevent crises. Democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, economic stability and social justice are prerequisites for security in everyday life.

On this basis we can also create the proper conditions for crisis preparedness. People's confidence cannot be built only after a crisis has started. It is very important that the foundation of mutual trust and cooperation that has been created before this is so strong that it helps people through exceptional circumstances in times of crisis.

Building a modern democratic state has in many cases required international cooperation. Talking about civilian crisis management is a relatively new thing, and it is difficult to draw a sharp line with development cooperation or humanitarian aid, for example. Many people think that the goal of civilian crisis management is to restore "normal" conditions, but in some cases it is also vital to support the development of a crisis area towards democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law, good governance and a properly working civil society.

Efforts are also being made to find effective solutions for cooperation between military and civilian crisis management.

I appreciate the work done by the national defence courses over the past decades, and the expansion of cooperation networks is a development in the right direction. The classical threat of war has been reduced - although it cannot be forgotten. Nevertheless, many other types of crises are more likely and preparing to deal with them is the responsibility not only of the Defence Forces but of every part of society. We often have plenty of information about different risks, but using this information requires effective networking: the extensive collection of information, expert analysis and reacting in the right way.

The national defence courses are a success story. People want to come and are satisfied with what they learn. In spite of the broad scope of the national defence courses, it has been necessary to arrange more specialized training - training whose goal is to improve Finland's and Finns' security. Among the best known are the financial management course arranged by the Finnish National Fund for Research and Development and the Good Finland 2020 programme arranged by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

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Last year's Government report to Parliament on Finnish Security and Defence Policy deals broadly with Finland's position in the world and gives clear guidelines for Finland's security policy. The main principles can be summarized as follows:

a) Security covers a broad spectrum. Finland's and Finns' security is based mainly on non-military means.

b) We are promoting our security through active membership in the European Union and a consistent foreign policy, by maintaining our society's capacity to react in all situations and by maintaining a credible defence. All these means are needed.

c) Our security and well-being also depend on the security and well-being of other countries and nations. We are making our own contribution to building a fair and prosperous world.

A lively discussion has taken place in Finland on the basis of the report this past autumn and winter. Parliament finally approved the policies outlined by the Government for the most part. I am glad it did, since as President I was involved in the process of preparing the report.

The report also deals with maintaining internal security and key functions of society. These are closely linked to our security policy and its goals.

The Government separately approved an internal security programme in autumn 2004. This programme describes the vision of internal security in 2015 as follows:

"Finland is the safest country in Europe. Security is safeguarded by an efficient public sector whose activities focus on preventive work. Cooperation among authorities and partnerships with stakeholders and the private sector ensure high-quality internal security products that correspond to people's security expectations."

Here again the broad and comprehensive nature of security is emphasized. Security begins with simple everyday things. In this course you will learn about different administrative sectors' efforts to promote Finland's and Finns' security and well-being.

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Finland has been active in developing not only its own security but also international cooperation and crisis management. Military crisis management has received the most attention, but the importance of civilian crisis management has also been realized in recent years.

In a joint article that I wrote with then Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallén of Sweden in April 1996, we emphasized the need to develop the European Union's overall crisis management capacity. We noted among other things that:

In our view, the new situation demands a new approach to security. Increasingly, the need is to prevent conflicts from breaking out and to create the conditions for sustainable peace and security by democratic, political and economic means. But it will also be necessary, where conflicts break out and acute crises arise nevertheless, to send in peacekeeping forces.

Finland's and Sweden's initiative to include the so-called Petersberg tasks as a goal of security policy helped find an effective compromise between member states with differing approaches in the EU. To avoid any misunderstanding, I should point out that the dividing lines did not run between NATO and non-NATO countries.

The development of the European Union's civilian and military crisis management has been rapid since 1996. The Union has established four priorities for civilian crisis management: the police, the rule of law, civilian administration and civil protection. Civilian crisis management is constantly being developed. Attention is now being focused on developing a rapid reaction mechanism. Finland is actively participating in this work, which is aimed at creating national and supranational "civilian preparedness groups". We have also considered it especially important to coordinate the Union's military and civilian crisis management resources. Coordination will improve the Union's ability to act in situations such as the Asian tsunami.

It is not boasting to say that Finland is a world leader in peacekeeping. Participating in international military crisis management is an important part of our security policy. We have participated in international peacekeeping operations since 1956.

By participating in international crisis management we promote international peace and at the same time develop and strengthen our own defence capacity. The security of a small nation depends on stability and security in the rest of the world.

The European Union's decision to establish battle groups or rapid reaction forces is a response to changing peacekeeping and crisis management needs. Finland will participate in two rapid crisis management units. Our partners will be Sweden and Norway in one of these and Germany and the Netherlands in the other.

Rapid reaction is not a substitute for long-term peacekeeping, rebuilding societies and aid work. We have a lot of experience in this area.

Finnish peacekeepers' participation in international crisis management always requires a decision by Finland. Our present legislation also requires that an operation must be authorized by the UN or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. This is important because the UN Security Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security and only the Security Council can authorize the use of force for other purposes besides self-defence. This principle of international law should be kept in mind when the Peacekeeping Act is reformed.

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The devastation caused by the Asian tsunami affects the whole world - our world, which is truly shared.

The tsunami plainly showed that we need international advance warning systems and competence in civilian crisis management. Improving cooperation among authorities is important nationally and internationally. In both cases this requires not only will but also increased economic resources.

Here at the 172nd national defence course you will see, experience and learn a great deal. According to course tradition you will have to make some tough decisions. I hope that you will also take time during the course to consider what it would feel like to be in the middle of an international crisis and what you would expect for yourself and your loved ones. Because it's all about people.

I wish you a good and rewarding course.