Niinistö wants Syrian solution
President-elect Sauli Niinistö wants to see a resolution to the violence in Syria, but did not yet want to offer an opinion on how Finland might be involved. He also touched on defence co-operation, social exclusion and relations with Russia at a press conference held on Monday afternoon at a Helsinki hotel.
“The Syrian situation is very serious, and especially France and Germany are doing good work,” said Niinistö. The Syrian situation requires a totally different solution to what has happened up to now, but I’ll refrain from taking a view on Finland’s position.”
He also wanted tighter defence co-operation with Sweden and other EU countries.
“Defence spending is being cut everywhere, and one option is closer co-operation mainly with Sweden, but also with other EU countries outside of NATO.”
Niinistö lent his support to current president Tarja Halonen’s line on relations with Russia.
“It is important to continue with the same policy, but there should also be good relations with the United States,” said Niinistö.
The president-elect said that he would give up his position as President of the Finnish Football Association, but would continue as chair of the Tukikummi foundation, which works to combat social exclusion among young people. He also announced he would establish a working group to look into ways to combat youth marginalisation.
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