"We are strengthening security in Europe", Valtonen: Kosovo has its deserved place in the EU

The Finnish chief diplomat, Elina Valtonen, says that Finland supports Kosovo on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration and that they are strengthening security in Europe. In an interview for KosovaPress, while underlining that Kosovo has its deserved place in the EU, Valtonen said that they expect quick reforms and stability in the entire Western Balkans. 

When the global situation is filled with various challenges, from the conflict in Ukraine and security threats to climate change, Valtonen shares Finland's perspective on foreign and security policy priorities.

He talks about Finland's role in NATO and the importance of international cooperation to address climate change.

"We stand by Kosovo, we see that Kosovo has its deserved place in the European Union and in all other organizations, I want to say that we are very much in favor of the Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo, and we really wish for the entire Balkan region Western to have quick reforms and also stability, which would enable the region's membership in the EU", she says.

Asked about the statements of the Russian minister, Sergei Lavrov, about the Third World War, the Finnish diplomat says that they reflect Russia's aggressive rhetoric. Underlines that they will ask Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

"We are concerned by Russia's aggressive stance, obviously the large-scale war they are waging against Ukraine, but also the increase in hybrid interventions, mainly across Europe, but also elsewhere, let's say in West Africa... 03:18 Obviously no one in the world hopes or wants world war to be imminent, and I think that's very aggressive rhetoric from the Russians that we've gotten used to over the years. Having said that, of course, we do not ignore any threat coming from Russia or elsewhere, but we will again ask Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and start living in peace with its neighbors and the rest of the world." , says the Finnish diplomat.

According to the Finnish Foreign Minister, commitment to the protection of fundamental values ​​such as the rule of law, democracy and human rights, security and peace in Europe, are the main priorities of her country.

"The main priorities are really based on the values ​​that we have held sacred all along, which are the rule of law, democracy, human rights and equality. Based on these, we implement our national foreign and security policy, based obviously on the circumstances in which we live, and unfortunately the war that is being waged in Europe so effectively, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is very much dominating also our security environment, so increasing our defenses and deterrents together with allies and partners is definitely a priority, the second thing is aiming for peace and stability across Europe so that we are able to provide a future for all people based on the values ​​of democracy and freedom, these are the essential elements of that foreign security policy", she says.

Minister Valtonen emphasizes the importance of Finland's membership in NATO.

"Finland's entry into NATO is significant, Finland and Sweden joined NATO to enhance and improve the security situation in Europe, we are bringing our strong capabilities and although our move was not directed against anyone, in essence it was done, and I can talk about Finland with its 1300 kilometer border with Russia. We took this action to increase our security and that of our friends and allies, and especially to protect those values ​​that we made sure to fix," says Valtonen.

He says he will tell the Finnish entrepreneurs that he has come across investment potential in Kosovo.

"I'm sure there is a lot, we can do more, but already, we are cooperating in many areas, politically, in security, but especially in trade and investment and this is something where we can definitely increase our efforts from both the parties. So obviously it's very good to see here in Pristina and also elsewhere that I've been to see how fast the development is, there's a lot of construction going on, so obviously I mean, Finland has a lot of expertise in say energy, efficient building, climate change mitigation, so that would definitely be something we'd like to help with, say we have high level expertise in elevators, so, I think there's a lot. So when I come back, I will just tell Finnish companies that there is a lot of potential to invest here in Kosovo and we can definitely increase our interaction," she says.

Finland takes over the OSCE chairmanship next year, as Valtonen talks about priorities.

"We see that, for example, the role of the Western Balkans is important, we will take the chairmanship of the OSCE next year. So focusing a lot on stability, security and cooperation in Europe. Unfortunately, we continue to observe this full-scale Russian aggression against not only neighboring Ukraine, but many other countries especially on the hybrid side. But there are more than 50 states participating in the OSCE, who want nothing more than a peaceful future for Europe, as well as respect for international law, the UN Charter and clearly the Helsinki principles. So that's the work we're going to focus on in the coming year. And we see that the Western Balkans play an important role. We want to continue to strengthen our OSCE missions here as well, all the work we are doing on this side. But I said, supporting the countries in their Euro-Atlantic integration", underlines Valtonen.

Finally, the Finnish diplomat appeals for international cooperation in mitigating the effects of climate change.

“Climate change is obviously a major concern for the whole world, and climate change doesn't really just mean climate warming, although I've learned that it's been a pretty warm, if not hot, summer here in the Balkans this year. So there's a lot of expertise, Finnish companies, for example, can bring to the table for example weather forecasting and climate change, because I said, it's not just about warming, it's about the increasing volatility of conditions. So it makes it much easier for humanity to adapt if there is predictability, and of course, what we need to do on a global scale is to mitigate the effects of climate change, the effects that it has on all of us. So, here we have to cooperate a lot", she concludes.

Asked about the statements of the Russian minister, Sergei Lavrov, about the Third World War, the Finnish diplomat says that they reflect Russia's aggressive rhetoric. Underlines that they will ask Russia to end the war in Ukraine.