Speech by Minister Anders Adlercreutz at the Finnish Institute of International affairs 20. March 2024

Speech by Minister Anders Adlercreutz at the Finnish Institute of International affairs 20. March 2024

Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz spoke at the Finnish Institute of International affairs Forum, Helsinki 20. March 2024

it's is good to be here at FIIA Forum and good to address the very important topic of EU enlargement, thanks to the Finnish Institute of International affairs for organizing this. You have been able to time this seminar perfectly of course, as we are right in the middle of a process that will hopefully lead to a larger European Union. But we are obviously far from the actual enlargement still.

The reason we are where we are also when it comes to EU enlargement can be summarized in two words:

Vladimir Putin.

He is also the reason Finland and Sweden are members of NATO today. Our NATO membership has been a longtime goal of my political party, and of our sister-parties in Sweden, but obviously the reason this became a reality - the war - is awful, and takes away some of the fanfare of this political victory.

Russias brutal war of aggression against Ukraine is going on today, as we speak. In it's third year. It is our duty, it has to be our highest priority to make sure Ukraine prevails in this war.

Russia cannot get anything that even resembles a victory in this war, as that would set a precedent that is not only immoral and wrong, but also very dangerous for Europe and beyond.

In this fight we also have to honestly acknowledge that we, as individual countries, have to do better. Finland is preparing the 23rd aid package to Ukraine: the total sum of aid is above 1,8 billion euros as of today.

If all European countries would have contributed on the same level, counted as a percentage of GDP, as the Nordic and Baltic countries have, Ukraine would have received 70 billion more in much needed aid already

We obviously cannot say for sure what kind of effect that would have had, but it is fairly clear that it would have made a huge difference.

I just got back, late last night in fact, from the General Affairs Council in Brussels. Also yesterday I made these same points, as I have done from the day I was appointed to this position. We have to step up and do better.

There has been a lot of talk, but in many countries we have seen a lack of action, and that just has to change. We need arms production to reflect the reality of the situation. Our defense companies need orders so they can invest. The governments of Europe have to step up their game. Many have, Finland has, but everyone needs to follow.

The situation in Ukraine is terrible of course, but all countries between the EU and Russia are living under different kinds of constant harassment. The zone between the free west, the European Union countries, and the brutal dictatorship of Russia has become an unpredictable zone of harassment. Countries like Moldova, like Georgia, like Serbia, like the western Balkans see different kinds of interference daily. In some cases straight up hybrid warfare, like in Moldova, in some cases straight up military presence on their soil, like in Georgia. But in all cases a level of interference that is jut not acceptable.

And the only solution that we directly can facilitate is an EU membership.

And this process is ongoing. We receive regular reports on the progress made in the countries that want, and that need to join the EU. Things have moved remarkably well in Ukraine, not at least considering the fact that Russia daily is shelling and bombing them indiscriminately. The path forward is clear, steps are taken forward in a merit-based system. We have to make sure the process is fair and transparent, and that the progress made is being judged equally for all. I am fully aware that there will be, and that there has been criticism regarding this. Actually I think that it unfortunately is inevitable that countries will complain on how other countries are treated in the process. It shouldn't be like that of course, but in a complicated political process, and a landscape that has many moving parts, this is what happens.

This should obviously not discourage us from moving ahead and making sure there is as little reason to complain as possible. "Merit based" means just that. As issues are being solved and things move forward, there are rewards for this on the path to full membership,

In December the council decided to open accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova and granted Georgia candidate status. The other EU candidate countries are as you know Albania, Bosnia and Hertzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. Clearly these countries are in very different stages on their way to membership. Will they all get there? Time will tell. The journey can and should be a goal of its own though. Step by step we are moving closer to each other through the process that is laid out. Ideally that is. We can do our part, and make sure progress is not lacking because of actions our governments take. So I choose to remain hopeful, there is a European path that leads you where you want to go, and that leads to peace and freedom.

Europe Whole and Free.

It can happen. Thank you.

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