Speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Heads of Mission

"Our task is to promote a world in which as many people as possible—regardless of country of birth and circumstances—can live their lives safely and freely, and be happy. That is Finland’s story."

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Esteemed Ambassadors and Heads of Mission,

In July, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot opened our meeting by asking about Simo Häyhä. He had read Olivier Norek’s Les guerriers de l’hiver (“The Warriors of Winter”) about Finland’s Winter War and was deeply moved. The events of the Winter War and the Finnish sisu had stayed with him.

My colleague has not been alone in these reflections. Norek’s book has received several literary awards in France and is among the most-read works by high-school students.

For us Finns, it is often disconcerting when someone knows a great deal about us. That is why it feels special when there is interest in us—that people read about us and listen to us.

Our story resonates.

When I am asked how we have once again — now for the eighth year in a row — become the happiest country in the world, I say that our happiness springs from our people. Just a little over a hundred years ago, Finland was a poor and hungry nation with a long border with an unreliable neighbour. And although our nature was rich even then, there was still a long road to industrialisation.

We invested in what we believed in: people, education, and ensuring that every child has equal opportunities to rise, to grow, and to make a difference.

Finland was built into a strong democracy that, as the first country in Europe, granted women full suffrage. We created a society in which individual freedom and the opportunity to succeed are real.

We are fond of speaking about the importance of education and competence. Individual freedoms and the responsibility that goes alongside them are a central element of an open society and of the recipe for success in which we still firmly believe, even though authoritarianism is rearing its head in many countries.

Yet freedom and responsibility also include a vital element on which Finland has been built, one that is not always mentioned in connection with foreign and security policy: the market economy.

For example, immediately after independence, in 1918, Finland enacted the Tenant Farmer Act, which enabled tenant farmers to be freed from the power of landowners and allowed land ownership to be shared more broadly among the population.

The right to own property and to strive for one’s own economic success — and to exchange the fruits of one’s labour for those of others, including across national borders — is a core ingredient in our powerful recipe: a country with the least corruption in the world, where one can trust in words and agreements. We trust people.

The last eight Happiness Reports tell Finland’s story. When asked where Finnish happiness comes from, the answers do not speak of the snowy expanses of Lapland, summers on Lake Saimaa, or Helsinki’s Design District, even though these are absolutely worth seeing. Instead, they mention healthcare, school, and support from society. Finnish happiness does not burst forth in fireworks, but it is as strong as bedrock.

And perhaps herein lies a grain of wisdom we could bring out in our work. Finland’s example shows that the freer people are to build their lives, the happier they feel their lives to be. And the happier and freer people are, the readier they are to take part in building that society—and, if necessary, defending it.

Dear Heads of Missions,

A strong national economy and international economic relations are an integral part of Finland’s foreign and security policy. Promoting trade and exports is advancing Finland’s interests. You — Finland’s face to the world — have an important role in this work.

Promoting Finland's country image, attracting talent and investment, and equally the engagement of the Finnish business sector are central. Our work is part of a broader European task: strengthening strategic competitiveness in a global environment where economic clout and technological edge increasingly determine international standing.

Protectionism tempts many, but we must dare to say it is the wrong recipe. We do not impose tariffs on friends; rather, with all our actions, we seek to promote free trade ever more widely.

This is the goal of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government, for which we work every day. The Government aims to reverse the debt-to-GDP ratio’s trajectory, which—amid weak economic conditions—unfortunately also means painful cuts. Savings entail prioritisation—including in foreign and security policy. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs must navigate a world of growing demands and shrinking resources, which requires clearer prioritisation and good leadership. Each of us has valuable work to do, and we must have the possibility to experience success in it.

Even so, we can change course only through strong economic growth. Our objective is the security of Finland and Europe — and a new flourishing. We will invest in international relations that support growth and in broad-based impact where our footprint and impact are greatest.

Esteemed Ambassadors and Heads of Mission,

War is the opposite of freedom. It crushes security, denies liberty, and makes the pursuit of a good life impossible.

Just a little over a thousand kilometres from here, Ukrainians continue their fight for their independence and freedom. That fight has lasted more than three years.

It is easy for us to identify with the situation of Ukrainians. In our history (and in Olivier Norek’s book) there are chapters in which we have been in the same position. That is why it is easy for us to understand how precious freedom is—and how invaluable it is to receive support when everything hangs in the balance.

Through its war of aggression, Russia seeks to alter Europe’s security architecture. In Finland, we understand this better than many others. And we have always understood the need to protect our freedom. That is why, over decades, we have systematically invested in defence and developed international relations and partnerships.

The decisions taken at the NATO Summit in the summer to raise defence spending are more than welcome. They are necessary. Now they must be implemented consistently, and percentages must be turned into capabilities. There is urgency as well. Even if Ukraine were to achieve peace at some point, that would not mean the disappearance of Russian imperialism. Russia poses a long-term threat to the Alliance and to the entire free world.

We strongly support United States President Donald Trump’s pursuit of a peace agreement. The meetings of recent weeks are evidence of the unity of the United States, Europe, and Ukraine. At the same time, Russia has continued to bomb civilian targets.

The immediate primary objective is to stop the killing and to return abducted children and prisoners of war home. To achieve this, we, together with our partners, must continue—with even greater determination—a strategy based on three pillars:

Support for Ukraine

Yesterday, Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day for the fourth time in the midst of war. Here in Helsinki, Senate Square filled with Finns who came to show their support for Ukraine. In peace negotiations we stand unwaveringly at Ukraine’s side—only and exclusively Ukraine can decide on its own borders and its future. This also applies to Ukraine’s path toward the EU and NATO.

At the same time, we will continue our military support for Ukraine in its rightful self-defence. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the strongest in Europe. A strong Ukraine on the battlefield is a prerequisite for a just and durable peace. It is clear that the security of Ukraine and all of Europe requires strong, lasting, and above all credible security guarantees. Finland will participate in Ukraine’s security arrangements to the extent of its capabilities.

In the future, Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. At the same time, we remind that good friends do not shy away from difficult issues: combating corruption and reforming governance are essential prerequisites for Ukraine’s sustainable integration into Europe. Our own experience also shows that strong, impartial, and reliable institutions are the prerequisite for a high-resilience society.

Ukraine’s place is also in NATO in the future.

Increased pressure on Russia

To date, President Putin has shown no intention of giving up his illegal expansionist aims. He joins negotiations, enjoys the limelight, and takes all he can—without a genuine willingness to make real concessions.

That is why we must increase pressure on Russia and weaken Russia’s capacity to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine. The EU has a key role in maintaining economic pressure. The EU’s 19th sanctions package is currently in preparation.

Pressure must continue even if the war were to end—neither a mere ceasefire nor a peace agreement is sufficient grounds for lifting sanctions. If, after the achievement of a sustainable peace, there is to be any rollback of sanctions, it must proceed gradually and in line with clearly defined, strict conditions. Within the EU, Finland has also proposed the introduction of tariffs on Russian imports.

 Strengthened European defence and deterrence

Russia’s objective is a Europe that is fragmented and divided. A united and capable Europe is therefore the means by which we respond to Russia’s threat. Strengthening deterrence and defence cannot be the task only of countries on Russia’s borders. Europe must bear a greater share of responsibility for its own deterrent and its defence.

The European Union and its Member States have made decisive choices this year, and now they must be implemented.

Esteemed Heads of Mission,

Finland’s attitude has never been to lament our fate, but to act in the circumstances at hand so as to safeguard and maximise our room for manoeuvre.

Facts must be taken as facts, and we cannot change our geography.

In fact, in this work—travelling across different parts of the world—our eyes are opened to the reality that the geographical position of many other countries is not necessarily any better. Conflicts, extreme weather events, water scarcity, migration, terrorism, and the influence operations of authoritarian states take their toll.

The theologian and international-relations thinker Reinhold Niebuhr called for serenity to accept the things one cannot change, courage to change the things one can, and wisdom to distinguish between the two.

One thing we do not wish to change is our firm backrest of international law and the multilateral treaty system. If the common rules are rewritten, the lives of more and more countries and their peoples become not only windier, but acutely difficult.

Rather, Finnish statecraft has always been to call on everyone, everywhere—from the cold North to thousands of kilometres away—to show the same respect for international law that we demand of ourselves. Together with others, we have also helped create those rules.

As we stated together here during the July heat at the Helsinki+50 event: the CSCE’s Helsinki Final Act and its principles are not suffocated by the fact that someone violates them. On the contrary, the importance of the principles—and of the work we do for them—only grows.

We are in a transitional phase, in the midst of history’s whirl. The playing field of international politics is full of players, and it is no longer clear who is playing on the same side—or under which rules.

In this period of change, Finland must build closer cooperation with like-minded partners. The European Union is Finland’s most important community of values and channel of influence. Cooperation with countries such as Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Japan is more important than before.

That alone is not enough.

We have the readiness, capability, and willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperate also with those countries with which we do not always share the same values or views. Quite often, the common denominator is found in international law—or in economic relations. At their best, these two reinforce each other.

Türkiye, Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia, and many others. These countries have risen as key actors with significant influence both on regional security issues and on the future of global norms and rules.

We must help shape how the West and the transatlantic community act on global issues. This is not only a strategic or moral obligation—it is also a question of credibility. How we act on issues around the world determines how seriously our concerns are taken farther afield.

Dear Heads of Missions,

In the acute war in Gaza, achieving a ceasefire, alleviating the humanitarian plight, and freeing the hostages are the most urgent tasks. In this, the entire international community has so far failed. Through its military operations, Israel has gone many times too far.

Finland has actively, consistently, and patiently demanded respect for international law and advocated the two-state solution.

The declaration of the two-state conference held in New York in July is the most significant step in two decades in advancing the two-state solution and a renewed peace process. Among those who approved the declaration at the first stage were Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the Arab League. This is the first time that the Arab states of the region jointly condemn Hamas’s 7 October terrorist attacks, commit to Israel’s security, and demand the disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of authority in Gaza.

An independent, democratic Palestine—committed to peaceful coexistence and demilitarised, and recognising Israel’s security needs—is a prerequisite for Israel’s security and likewise for Palestine’s, and for the two-state solution.

Hamas can have no role in building Palestine’s future. Hamas must be disarmed. The Palestinian Authority must commit to reform and to democratic elections.

Finland will promote the two-state solution as set out in the Government report on Finnish foreign and security policy, based on internationally accepted parameters and a solution negotiated between the parties. In recent weeks, the international community has taken strides toward that solution.

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Dear Heads of Missions

The world does not run out of opportunities—nor of challenges. To address all this, Finland needs a Ministry for Foreign Affairs that is in the best possible shape.

Our greatest and by far most important resource is people. That is why we must speak about well-being and leadership.

In the end, all leadership is the leadership of people. We are engaged, together with heads of mission and other supervisors, in an ongoing discussion on people management. Encouraging leadership is difficult. It requires diverse competence, experience, and above all commitment.

Together, we have developed the leadership of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and updated our operating models to meet today’s challenges. Our new Chief Human Resources Officer, Niina Pesonen, began her work in May and brought with her fresh ideas from the private sector. This is a historic change, as Niina is the first Chief Human Resources Officer recruited from outside the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

We are now renewing the process by which heads of mission and other key personnel are selected for their posts. Selections must be based on transparent and clear criteria as well as on the individual assessment of people.

We have also had to address inappropriate conduct and have done so, when necessary, with robust measures. That is the employer’s duty, and we will act accordingly in the future when the situation requires it. It is up to all of us in this room to do everything we can so that there will be no need for this in the future; that situations do not escalate, but that inappropriate behaviour is rooted out and conflicts resolved at an early stage. I expect each of you to commit to this goal.

I thank you, dear Heads of Missions, as well as the senior civil service leadership and the entire ministry, for your commitment to a new era in Finland’s foreign service and to the reforms we have achieved.

I also thank you for all your work over the past year, which has been at least as challenging as we together anticipated here a year ago.

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It is said that on returning from a long trip abroad, the then UN Secretary-General, the Swede Dag Hammarskjöld, remarked that it is a lottery win to be born in the North. This thought is familiar to us Finns: we often say that it is winning the lottery to be born in Finland.

Countries do not compete in happiness—and if they do, it is a positive competition about where people are given the most space to decide on their own affairs. It does not suffocate; it does not seize power by force; it does not wither or lie. It does not exclude; rather, it grows stronger the more it is shared. Happiness that is based on freedom, democracy, trust, and security is a value. It is the opposite of autocracy, fear, and war.

Our task is to promote a world in which as many people as possible—regardless of country of birth and circumstances—can live their lives safely and freely, and be happy. That is Finland’s story.