Finland’s largest daily circulation Helsingin Sanomat bears the reaction from the Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen (CEN) to the President of Russia Vladimir Putinthe latest attempt to limit NATO enlargement.
"Of course, it is known that Russia is critical of NATO and certainly of NATO enlargement." Kaikkonen pointed out.
"We have no preparations or plans to apply for NATO membership now. Nevertheless, we want to keep it [the membership option] and hold it in our own hands. On the other hand, the union itself decides who it will admit or not," Kaikkonen said, repeating the president’s statement Sauli Niinistö on Thursday.
Kaikkonen believes that Putin’s comments point to a rather tense situation between the West and Russia.
“Of course, it’s unfortunate that the atmosphere is like this right now,” he added.
Tampereen Aamulehti offers an extensive interview President Niinistö is celebrating the magazine’s 140th anniversary week. The discussion covered such various issues as good deeds, the coronavirus pandemic, the development of Tampere, journalism and security policy.
President Niinistö answered the question of where Finland’s defense should be anchored. "Ultimately, our own responsibility in these matters takes precedence."
Niinistö expressed the view that Finland is relatively “at the forefront” of Europe.
Among the international defense partners, President Niinistö listed a long list of co-operation, including ever-strengthening ties with Sweden, a special partnership with NATO, and a common Nordic security thinking. "triangle with Norway" and, for example, the United Kingdom-led Joint Expeditionary Forces for International Crisis Management Forces. He also mentioned cooperation with France and Germany.
State funds for testing
After reporting statements by Thursday Lasse Lehtonen, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) diagnostic services director, said that koronavirustestausta have to be cut sharply due to lack of government funding, Iltalehti is now talking about it that the money will be available.
Kirsi Varhila, The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has now told Iltalehti that there is no cause for concern.
According to Varhila, the government has committed to reimburse the immediate costs of the pandemic, such as testing costs, in full for as long as the situation and the implementation of the coronavirus strategy require it.
Late on Thursday, the ministry issued a press release saying the state will continue to fully reimburse municipalities for the costs of fighting the coronavirus.
Part of the funds set aside in the 2021 budget will be available in 2022. Additional funding to cover the costs of 2022 can be allocated from the state supplementary budget, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Expertise over parties
Kuopio Savon Sanomat is among the morning papers According to a Uutissuomalainen newsgroup survey, 38 per cent of voters say that social, health and rescue expertise will be the main choice of candidate when voting in the January council elections.
The figure is well above the 29 per cent who see party affiliation as the main criterion for deciding who gets their vote.
Provincial council elections are held in Finland for the first time. Voters are asked to select candidates for membership of the local provincial council, which decides on social, health, fire and rescue services in their area.
Sami BorgAn election researcher at the University of Tampere told Uutissuomalainen that the emphasis on expertise is a bit surprising. Borg believes this will now become an important part of the 2022 provincial election campaigns.
"Expertise means, in practice, that the applicant works or has worked in these fields or has the appropriate training for them. Of course, candidates and parties emphasize these features in their campaigns," said Borg.
Jouni TilliA lecturer in political science at the University of Jyväskylä pointed out that the need for candidates to convince voters of their expertise in a comprehensible way requires a certain style of campaigning.
"One could hope that the campaigns will emphasize expertise. This would also make it clear to citizens what these welfare areas and provincial associations are all about," Tilli pointed out.
Cold and colder
Evening News tells its readers that winter is tightening its grip as Independence Day approaches.
Looking at the forecast for the coming long holiday week, the magazine says the coldest temperatures are forecast for Sunday and Independence Day on Monday.
At the weekend -10C in Helsinki, -15C in Tampere and Pori, -16C in Jyväskylä, -20C in Vaasa.
Forecan meteorologist Juha Föhr told Ilta-Sanomat that the readings will drop as low as -35 degrees "somewhere in Lapland".
"But where, I’m not going to guess. Not quite in southern Lapland, not at the top either, but somewhere in between" Föhr said.
Source: The Nordic Page