EU leaders ended their summit in Lapland with a press conference on Sunday, speaking about a wide range of security threats facing Europe.
EU leaders held a press conference after their weekend summit in Saariselkä.
European Union leaders convened for an informal summit in Saariselkä over the weekend in Finnish Lapland’s Inari, where discussions centred on Europe’s evolving security challenges.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, highlighted the multifaceted threats facing the continent.
“Russia poses a direct threat to Europe’s security, but security comprises of different elements, and they are different in the east, south, north and west. But we can tackle these issues if we work together,” said Kallas, the former Estonian PM.
Kallas pointed to a range of hybrid threats across Europe, including sabotage, cyberattacks, the use of unregistered “shadow” fleets, GPS jamming and damage to critical infrastructure like cables.
She also emphasised the weaponisation of migration as a growing concern, driven not only by hostile actors but also by criminal networks.
Debate on landmines resurfaces
At the press conference, journalists asked Kallas about Finland’s possible withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, which bans anti-personnel landmines.
“Member states are part of the Ottawa Convention. So it’s member states’ competence whether they decide to join or not. These discussions are going on in different member states, not just Finland,” she said.
Kallas noted the peacetime risks posed by landmines, particularly to animals and children, but acknowledged their defensive effectiveness.
“These are the discussions that need to be held, and I respect the member states who are having these. But, the decision is the member states’ decision.”
A citizens’ initiative urging a withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty was submitted to Parliament last week, but its legal status is unclear.
Orpo calls for more support to Ukraine
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP) opened the press conference by summarising key themes from the summit, which focused on security, defence and migration.
Highlighting the differing security challenges across Europe, Orpo said that while southern Europe contends with its proximity to Africa and the Middle East, the overarching goal is to secure the EU’s external borders and strengthen collective responsibility.
Speaking separately to Finnish reporters, Orpo underscored the importance of presenting Finland’s security perspective in EU decision-making.
He also stressed the need for increased European financial support for Ukraine, citing uncertainty surrounding US policy under an incoming Donald Trump administration.
“We need to ramp up spending. Similar discussions are happening within Nato. This is a massive challenge, but solutions must be found by next spring,” Orpo said.
The summit, hosted by Orpo, brought together leaders including Kallas, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Over the weekend, the leaders discussed issues such as European security, crisis preparedness, collective defence and the challenges posed by migration and instrumentalised immigration.
Finland has hosted several international meetings at Saariselkä, which lies about 60 kilometres from the Russian border.
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Publish date : 2024-12-22 03:05:00
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