The role of the United States remains considerable and constructive in Europe even if the now 25-nation bloc’s own security policy role is gathering pace, said Finland’s centrist Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen Tuesday.
Speaking at a seminar of national defence in Helsinki, Vanhanen said he does not see this development as causing a conflict between the US and the EU.
He said it was in Europe’s own interests to make sure that the United States continues to be politically interested in Europe and that the relationship remains as strong as possibe. Otherwise global economic development will steer its interest toward the regions of the Pacific Ocean and of Asia.
The premier said he was in full agreement with Finland’s former centrist Prime Minister Esko Aho (1991-1995) on the fact that "fundamentalist anti-Americanism" needs to be avoided. However, Vanhanen said he had not witnessed signs of this type of development in Finland.
On Finland’s possible membership in NATO, Vanhanen repeated that military alliance was not a timely consideration for Finland at the moment. He added, however, that at the same time membership cannot be ruled out and that Finland must see to it that its military is NATO compatible.
"I take it as a given that Finland would be welcome in NATO if we chose to apply for membership. For me the question about NATO membership is not an ideological but a practical one," he said at the seminar. |