Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy submitted to Parliament

The Government has approved the proposal for the Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy. The report assesses Finland’s foreign and security policy environment and defines Finland’s objectives and priorities for the next few years.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen led the preparation of the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy. Foreign and security policy for a new era means that Finland is navigating an increasingly challenging operational environment, but now as a militarily allied country.

“NATO membership marks a new era for Finland. Finland now looks at its security from the perspective of NATO’s collective defence, contributes to the security of the whole Alliance and, alongside its NATO Allies, works for shared values,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.

In the report, the Government outlines the main goals of Finland’s foreign and security policy, which are to safeguard Finland’s independence and territorial integrity, to avoid becoming involved in a military conflict and to improve the security and well-being of the people of Finland. Finland’s foreign and security policy is founded on value-based realism. Finland stands by values it considers important and central, such as democracy, the rule of law, international law and human rights, peace, equality, and non-discrimination.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs prepared the report in extensive cooperation with the Office of the President of the Republic of Finland, the Prime Minister's Office and the other ministries. The President of the Republic of Finland and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy provided the political guidance for the work. Parliament participated in the preparation of the report though a parliamentary monitoring group appointed by the Government.

• The Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy