In an interview with KosovaPress, the Ambassador of Finland to Kosovo, Matti Nissinen, discusses the current political situation in the country, the urgent need to form new institutions, as well as the geopolitical challenges in Europe – from the war in Ukraine to the importance of KFOR’s role in Kosovo. He emphasizes the urgent need for the establishment of functional institutions, stressing that delays in this process hinder necessary reforms and the country’s progress on the international stage.
Kosovo’s institutional crisis
During the third attempt to constitute the Assembly of Kosovo, the Vetëvendosje Movement failed twice in a row to elect MP Albulena Haxhiu as Speaker of Parliament.
As a result, the session was postponed again for another 48 hours.
“First of all, I truly hope that the formation of institutions – functional institutions – happens as soon as possible. I believe we are living in a global situation where new developments don’t wait. They don’t pause for things to be formed. Also, the reforms that are needed here in Kosovo must be able to move forward. So, I think the sooner, the better. Having a new government and a newly formed Assembly would be best for the people of Kosovo,” said Finnish Ambassador Matti Nissinen in the interview with KosovaPress.
The new government and priorities for citizens
He stated that education, healthcare, and citizens’ well-being should be the top priorities of the new government.
“I always say that we must invest in people. This is something we do in Finland. If you focus and prioritize sectors like education, healthcare, or even overall well-being and prosperity, I think these are some of the clearest priorities that bring benefits to the entire society,” he said.
KFOR’s role: Stability and security in Kosovo
He also spoke about regional security and Kosovo–Finland relations.
He highly values the presence of KFOR in Kosovo, recalling Finland’s contribution with over 7,500 peacekeepers throughout the years. According to him, KFOR remains a stabilizing and security factor in the region, working in cooperation with the Kosovo Police and EULEX.
“From the perspective of my country, Finland, we have been involved in KFOR from the beginning. We are very proud to have been part of this important operation. In total, around 7,500 Finnish peacekeepers have served in KFOR over the years. So, we highly appreciate the importance of this operation. I believe that even today, KFOR plays a very important role in Kosovo, fulfilling its operational mandate together with other entities – with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission, in line with their respective mandates as security providers,” said Ambassador Matti Nissinen.
Global security shifts and Europe’s readiness
Recent developments on the international stage – including Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and growing insecurity in the Balkans – have brought security and military readiness back to the forefront of European policy.
Europe is facing a new wave of challenges, where EU and NATO member states are reassessing their defense strategies and international cooperation.
According to the Finnish ambassador, readiness should be Europe’s approach in the current circumstances.
“I think it’s in everyone’s best interest, both individually and collectively, to remain vigilant in these times… This has been a long-running debate in Europe, and I believe it’s also tied to the issue of readiness and taking responsibility for our own security. I’ve seen the statements from our political leaders in Europe, and I believe there is a strong consensus that Europe must increase its efforts and capabilities – and that includes defense capabilities. I think this is one of the top priorities in many European countries right now,” he said.
The war in Ukraine and its impact on European security
Since the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the war has fundamentally changed Europe’s security architecture. This crisis has underscored the need for international unity, respect for a rules-based international order, and the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent states. The conflict has had deep political, economic, and humanitarian consequences – not just for Ukraine, but for the entire continent.
For countries like Finland, which has taken a clear supportive stance toward Ukraine and is now a NATO member, preserving European stability and strengthening defense capabilities have become strategic priorities. The war has prompted many countries to reassess their foreign policies and invest more in collective security and in building a sustainable peace in Europe.
While speaking about the importance of ending the war, Ambassador Matti Nissinen said that peace must be sustainable and preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty. He emphasized the necessity of including clear elements that respect the international rules-based order.
“Peace must be achieved in Ukraine. The big questions are when and how. We have always emphasized that peace must be sustainable and long-term, taking into account Ukraine’s independence, its sovereignty, and respect for the rules-based international order. These are some of the elements that must be in place when, hopefully, peace is reached. There are many aspects to talk about when discussing peace. There are several stages in this process – how to achieve a ceasefire, what the elements of peace negotiations are, and ultimately, what the final solution of the peace agreement is. But I would like to strongly emphasize that it must be a solution or peace agreement that fully includes Ukraine’s interests and its sovereignty,” he said for KosovaPress.
Kosovo–Finland relations: A stable partnership
The Finnish ambassador also spoke about the bilateral relations between Kosovo and Finland.
He told KosovaPress about the official visit of President Vjosa Osmani to Finland, where topics such as European security, economic cooperation, and trade relations between the two countries are expected to be discussed.
“Bilateral relations are excellent. They are exceptionally warm and deep, and go back many years. I am very pleased to be able to build on this strong foundation that we have. One example that further highlights this excellent bilateral relationship will actually take place next week, when President Osmani visits Finland for a working visit. This is another opportunity for us to deepen the relationship and achieve concrete outcomes from this visit. I think it’s a great opportunity, for example, to discuss urgent European security matters, to talk about economic cooperation, and how to boost trade between our two countries. There are many things our presidents can discuss next week, and I am very excited about this high-level event that will take place,” said Ambassador Matti Nissinen at the end of the interview with KosovaPress./N. Jakupi
/KosovaPress/
