Finland to join France-led defence coalition
Finland has agreed to join the France-led European Intervention Initiative which, once established, would be able to react to situations near European borders without assistance from NATO or the United States.
Speaking after a press conference with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, President Sauli Niinistö said that Finland will sign a letter of intent during the autumn.
So far, nine other EU countries have announced their decision to join Macron’s coalition of the willing, including France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Estonia, Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Keeping Europe united
Paris is seeking a deployable European military crisis force outside of existing EU efforts.
Niinistö said that it is strategically important for everyone to know that Europe will stay united. The President added that Finland sincerely wants to be involved in building a safe Europe whose voice can be heard.
Meanwhile Macron, who arrived in Helsinki for an official visit on Wednesday, said he was pleased that Finland had decided to join the intervention force that would create a common defence strategy culture.
Macron added that he wanted to strengthen the EU foundation treaty to include an automatic solidarity clause that would be binding on all member states.
According to an official handout, the leaders planned to discuss security and defence policy, relations with Russia and the US, Arctic questions, climate change and “the state of the rules-based multilateral international order,” among other issues.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada’s defence minister says military upgrades part of plan to strengthen Arctic sovereignty, CBC News
Finland: President Niinisto says Finland’s NATO membership “a possibility”, Yle News
Norway: NATO sending more warships to Northern Norway, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Niinistö and Putin agree on Arctic, but at odds on NATO during Sochi talks, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Swedish military wants to double in size, Radio Sweden
United States: New symposium brings U.S. military’s attention to the Arctic, Alaska Public Media
