Finland-NATO Membership/Russia
Helsinki, Finland - May 12, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Building of Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
2. National flag of Finland
3. Various of Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at press briefing
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Pekka Haavisto, foreign minister, Finland:
"But we saw in the end of February, actually the changes in environment, security environment in Europe, and unfortunately our current security structure, security architecture couldn't prevent a war, and Russian attack against Ukraine, and also the common opinion in Finland changed very rapidly among the ordinary citizens, among the politicians, that we need something more for our own security. If it's happened, if it's possible in Europe to have an attack against a country of 40 million people and try to change militarily their government."
5. Haavisto receiving interview
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Pekka Haavisto, foreign minister, Finland:
"But we hope, of course, that taking care of our own security would not escalate anything, and we appreciate very much the peaceful border between Finland and Russia. We want to maintain that peaceful border, despite the fact that we are applying for the NATO membership."
7. Various of Haavisto receiving interview
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said Thursday that Finland's decision to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is more of a security guarantee, and the country wants to keep the peace along its border with Russia.
On the same day, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin publicly supported the idea of Finland applying to join the NATO.
The two leaders said in a joint statement that the NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security, and hoped the national steps needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.
The president and the cabinet are expected to "make their decisions" this coming Sunday, and the country's parliament may accept the proposal and call a special meeting as early as next Monday, Haavisto introduced at a press briefing.
"We saw in the end of February, actually the changes in environment, security environment in Europe, and unfortunately our current security structure, security architecture couldn't prevent a war, and Russian attack against Ukraine, and also the common opinion in Finland changed very rapidly among the ordinary citizens, among the politicians, that we need something more for our own security. If it's happened, if it's possible in Europe to have an attack against a country of 40 million people and try to change militarily their government," Haavisto told the China Media Group (CMG).
"But we hope, of course, that taking care of our own security would not escalate anything, and we appreciate very much the peaceful border between Finland and Russia. We want to maintain that peaceful border, despite the fact that we are applying for the NATO membership," added the foreign minister.
Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic, doubling NATO's existing borders with Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Finland's possible accession to the NATO would force Moscow to take "military-technical" retaliatory measures.
Russia has repeatedly noted that while it is up to Finland to decide which measures it will take to ensure its national security, it must also be aware of the consequences of its actions, the ministry said.
Finland-NATO Membership/Russia
Dateline : May 12, 2022
Location : Finland
Duration : 1'21
Helsinki, Finland - May 12, 2022 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Building of Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
2. National flag of Finland
3. Various of Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto at press briefing
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Pekka Haavisto, foreign minister, Finland:
"But we saw in the end of February, actually the changes in environment, security environment in Europe, and unfortunately our current security structure, security architecture couldn't prevent a war, and Russian attack against Ukraine, and also the common opinion in Finland changed very rapidly among the ordinary citizens, among the politicians, that we need something more for our own security. If it's happened, if it's possible in Europe to have an attack against a country of 40 million people and try to change militarily their government."
5. Haavisto receiving interview
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Pekka Haavisto, foreign minister, Finland:
"But we hope, of course, that taking care of our own security would not escalate anything, and we appreciate very much the peaceful border between Finland and Russia. We want to maintain that peaceful border, despite the fact that we are applying for the NATO membership."
7. Various of Haavisto receiving interview
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said Thursday that Finland's decision to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is more of a security guarantee, and the country wants to keep the peace along its border with Russia.
On the same day, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin publicly supported the idea of Finland applying to join the NATO.
The two leaders said in a joint statement that the NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security, and hoped the national steps needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days.
The president and the cabinet are expected to "make their decisions" this coming Sunday, and the country's parliament may accept the proposal and call a special meeting as early as next Monday, Haavisto introduced at a press briefing.
"We saw in the end of February, actually the changes in environment, security environment in Europe, and unfortunately our current security structure, security architecture couldn't prevent a war, and Russian attack against Ukraine, and also the common opinion in Finland changed very rapidly among the ordinary citizens, among the politicians, that we need something more for our own security. If it's happened, if it's possible in Europe to have an attack against a country of 40 million people and try to change militarily their government," Haavisto told the China Media Group (CMG).
"But we hope, of course, that taking care of our own security would not escalate anything, and we appreciate very much the peaceful border between Finland and Russia. We want to maintain that peaceful border, despite the fact that we are applying for the NATO membership," added the foreign minister.
Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Arctic, doubling NATO's existing borders with Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Finland's possible accession to the NATO would force Moscow to take "military-technical" retaliatory measures.
Russia has repeatedly noted that while it is up to Finland to decide which measures it will take to ensure its national security, it must also be aware of the consequences of its actions, the ministry said.
ID : 8272864
Published : 2022-05-13 22:49
Last Modified : 2022-05-14 17:21:23
Source : China Central Television (CCTV)
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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