Today’s Postimees features an opinion article by Finnish journalist Jarmo Mäkelä casting some light on changes weighty in the context of the fast-approaching general elections in Finland, yet unnoticed by the public. Turns out, a greater than expected agreement has emerged among leading Finnish politicians regarding defence policy – including the issue of drawing nearer to NATO.
An important observation, especially as foreign and defence policy plays no major outward role in the Finnish elections campaign. Still, security issues are an ever-present undercurrent – more so that it initially appears.
A casual glance might actually suggest the opposite. As noted by Jarmo Mäkelä, three out of eight parties presented in parliament have no elections platform in foreign and security policy. But such scarce outward mentions are, according to Mr Mäkelä, a frequent tendency in Finland’s public policy: important issues may not be talked about publicly, but all parties understand that the issue is vitally important. So important that, as assessed by Mr Mäkelä, relevant agreements have already been made.
Four years ago, as the former government was being created, there was this overall understanding in political parties of Finland that joining NATO was not planned. Now, they have agreed not to repeat the mistake. What’s more: they have agreed that cooperation with NATO will be intensified, defence cooperation with Sweden will be continued, and large investments will be made into national defence during the next government. As assessed by Mr Mäkelä, the agreement is the outcome of a discussion between parties as initiated by President of Finland Sauli Niinistö where consensus was reached regarding the main issues of foreign and defence policy.
The Finnish change of course – even if between the parties and not public as yet – is not only welcome but also understandable. For Europe, the year 2014 brought an altered security situation. Not limited to Russian aggression in Ukraine, it has been perceived as a broader Kremlin threat to neighbouring nations. Once the security treaties – once viewed as solid – have been breached, no-one feels fully confident it never happens again. By Russian propaganda war, Finland has not been left untouched. Like the rest of EU, Finland is faced with a situation stupid to ignore.
As also confirmed by Mr Niinistö’s statements in media. In his February interview to the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter, he said he did not exclude Finland applying to join NATO (recalling his stand just six months earlier, this is quite a shift) and that in the programme of the new government the approach to NATO issue has already changed.
For Estonia, such change of course and the initial agreement carry great weight. Obviously, a nation’s security depends on the security of the entire region. Estonia would be the first to warmly greet a Finland on course towards the NATO.