Finland holds the rotating EU presidency at the moment and Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen has used his outgoing speech to make clear his feelings about relations with Russia:
I am not altogether sure that Russia is heading in the right direction. We need to see a firmer commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the market economy. We do not want Russia to go in an authoritarian direction. We are fully entitled to be concerned at the way things are going in Russia.
He also found time to take a pop at Belarus, which he described as a “black hole” and a “disgrace to Europe”.
Strong words indeed from a country with a long tradition of neutrality.
(Thanks to Copydude for pointing out the speech’s contents to me).
December 19th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Strong words indeed from a country with a long tradition of neutrality.
Not against Russia they don’t! Having been invaded and occupied within living memory, and having a neutrality enforced by the USSR, I am not surprised a Finn has some pretty frank views on Russia.
December 20th, 2006 at 7:33 am
Oh, I’m not at all surprised that a Finnish Prime Minister has strong views about Russia, but it makes a bit of a change for them to be publicly expressing them.
December 20th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
I agree it’s unusual to speak out in this way. The anti-Putin rhetoric is moving up a gear.
I thought it was also highly unusual for the British Ambassador to visit the ‘alternative summit’ at G8. That just ain’t diplomatic. Holding a NATO conference in Latvia was provocative too.
Whatever is going on here, it’s a team effort.