From: YLE

In an interview with Yle’s A-studio following yesterday’s high-level Finnish conference on foreign and security policy, President Sauli Niinistö said that Finland’s possible NATO membership should be reconsidered, especially in light of the changing world order and cyber-threats.

President Sauli Niinistö addressed the changing global landscape and its impact on Finnish foreign and security policy during a conference at his summer residence in Naantali with some 100 invited experts, politicians and business leaders. The successful two-day conference wrapped up yesterday.

“The aim was to achieve a more open discussion, and I think we succeeded,” Niinistö said in an exclusive interview with Yle.

One of the hot topics was Finland’s potential NATO membership.

“I do not think that NATO’s door is closing on us in any way,” said Niinistö. “We can apply for membership at any time.”

According to Niinistö, “the EU has become crucial to the development of defense, especially if Europe or the surrounding areas were to be hit by a major conflict or war. A changing world brings with it new types of challenges, such as cyber-threats to information security. Cooperation brings about better protection.”

He added, “I do not need to discuss finances in a political speech. However, I see that the economy is a tool of power, which is becoming increasingly important in world politics.”

Referring to the current economic crisis in Europe, Niinistö said that, “it’s self-deception to try to maintain consumption levels by using credit or printing more money. In the long run, one cannot live on debt.”