Stubb: Finnish-Russian relations moving towards deeper networking
According to Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, Finland has good and solid relations with Russia. In his speech given in the event celebrating the 90 years of Finnish-Russian diplomatic relations the Minister said we are on our way towards deeper bilateral networking. Minister Stubb stressed that in Russia, Finland is far more important a player than its size would suggest. We issue the most EU visas in Russia, and our EUR 7-8 billion investments make Finland the largest foreign investor measured per capita.
Stubb remarked that Finnish-Russian relations need not be "reset", but the 2010s decade gives an opportunity to "refresh" our relations.
For Finnish-Russian bilateral relations in the ongoing decade, Minister Stubb outlined four guidelines. First of all, Finland should also in the future pursue comprehensive, active and target-oriented Russia policy. The Government's Russia Action Plan should be implemented, and it should be developed and updated as needed. Finland should also assess and perhaps modernize its political instruments for Russia based on future needs.
Thirdly, Finland should invest in developing the Partnership for Modernisation agreed between the EU and Russia. Its goals will be achieved through hands-on work by enterprises, organisations and citizens. Fourthly, now is the time to create a bilateral Arctic partnership between Finland and Russia, Minister Stubb said.
Stubb believes that the EU and Russia will find each other again in the 2010s. The agenda of the EU’s Russia policy is unambiguous. Free trade and exemption from the visa requirement would bring Russia and Europe closer together, but call for hard work and political wisdom. In the increasingly multi-polar world the EU and Russia will need one another more than ever, Stubb stressed.
Further information: Mikko Hautala, Advisor to the Foreign Minister, tel. +358 40 834 6758, Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Press Attaché to the Minister, tel. +358 40 732 8340