HELSINKI, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila underlined in his New Year message the importance for Finland to keep its "traditional foreign policy line".
Sipila mentioned the increased role of the European Union in defence issues.
The prime minister assured that the government would take care of the security of the Finns in all situations. Sipila said that the international climate is tense. He singled out "powerpolitics" and "great power politics" as negative emerging trends.
"The war in Syria has exposed the weaknesses and the failure of the international community," he said. Now Finland should follow its "traditional foreign policy line" that he described as jointly agreed and supported by the majority of Finns.
Sipila listed the Finnish policy line as being based on military non-alignment,credible defence and international co-operation particularly within the EU and the United Nations. He also mentioned "good relations to all directions".
The EU summit in December had concluded that stronger measures would be needed to develop defence in a challenging environment, he said.
Sipila underlined the importance of consensus on security policy. He referred to a government security policy statement debated in parliament in December and noted that the opposition parties agreed as well.
Sipila pledged measures against inequality. He repeated recent announcement that a government task force will start reviewing the equality situation.
He noted the slogan of Finland's centenary year is "together".
