In his Saturday morning television appearance, Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen said that he has listened with great interest to Finnish citizens’ concern over Finnish security and defence capabilities. Katainen himself favours Finland joining NATO, as he feels Finland would not manage on its own if it became a target of international pressure.
Tuomioja is of the opposite opinion
“NATO would bring no added benefit to Finnish security. It is not a solution, it would simply bring more problems of its own,” Tuomioja added.
Tuomioja estimates that Katainen is now speaking more freely as his term as Prime Minister draws to an end, more boldly representing his centre-right National Coalition Party views. The NCP party line has traditionally supported NATO membership, while Tuomioja’s Social Democratic Party has opposed it.
“Finland’s policy is stable. It includes EU membership, along with strong support of the development of EU foreign and security policies, Nordic cooperation and a NATO partnership. Nothing else is required.” said Tuomioja.
Sipilä says NATO question shouldn’t be discussed during times of crisis
Chair of the opposition Centre Party Juha Sipilä has also responded to Katainen’s comments, stating that while there should be a NATO option, now is not the time to discuss it.
The crisis in Ukraine has not affected Sipilä’s position on NATO, a position he made clear two years ago when he was chosen to lead the Centre Party.
“My own NATO position is exactly the same as that of the Centre Party. Finland does not belong to any military alliance, but we wish to maintain that option. If membership was to be considered, there would have to be a nationwide referendum arranged on the issue,” Sipilä said.
In his interview, Prime Minister Katainen said he had participated in many conversations in public marketplaces and deliberated himself on the question: what if something similar to what happened in Ukraine took place in Finland? Sipilä said he too had thought about that possibility, but saw the status of Finland compared with Ukraine as “completely different”.
“I don’t think it is a good idea to discuss NATO membership when a crisis is underway. The time to discuss things like this is when there is time to consider things long and hard, in a normal situation.”
In Sipilä’s opinion, the best guarantee of Finland's safety and security is an independent defence force founded on the principle of universal conscription.
