Finland Ambassador: Internal unity best defense against outside challenges and challengers

By Monsi A. Serrano

Mindful of the global challenges such as Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, Hamas’ attack against Israel, and China’s unabated aggression, Finnish Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Juha Pyykkö believes that diplomacy has still a place in the world to foster not just unity, but respect for the rule of law.

Speaking at the 106th Year Independence Celebration of Finland held at Ascott Bonifacio Global City last December 6, Ambassador Pyykkö said that in his reflection at what is happening ‘in the world today”, independence and sovereignty cannot be taken for granted and both necessitate and deserve to be cultivated.

Ambassador Pyykkö pointed out that while other countries are not challenged by outright war, others are all dealing with “wars” in varying degrees such as challenged by increasing divisions, by disinformation and misinformation, hybrid attacks and hate speech.

He also said the importance of unity just like what Finland’s President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Sauli Niinisto has many times emphasized. Underscored the internal unity is the best weapon against outside challenges and challenger.

“It is with this unity that we, the dozens of countries including the European Union and its member states, including Finland, have supported and will keep on supporting Ukraine in her self defense against the brutal aggression by Russia,” Pyykkö said.

Ambassador Pyykkö also emphasized that this internal unity prompted Finland to apply for NATO membership and became a NATO member on April 4 this year, to pursue security internal and external measures.

He also dismissed that the international cooperation is malfunctioning and diplomacy has failed pointing out that the current system of rule based international order and multilateral cooperation can be improved. While there are areas for improvement, the Finnish envoy noted that it is empircal that during these (challenging) times that the whole world needs more cooperation.

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