Presenters:
October 7, 2016
STAFF: Mr. Deputy Secretary, Mr. Permanent Secretary, honored heads of delegation -- (inaudible) -- Nordic -- (inaudible) -- media, welcome to this press conference following the meeting with the United States and the Nordic and Baltic countries.
We have with us here today Finland, host of the meeting, Secretary Jukka Juusti from Finland. From the United States, Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work. From Iceland, Director Árni Þór Sigurðsson; from Latvia, State Secretary Jānis Garisons; from Lithuania, Policy Director Vaidotas Urbelis; from Sweden, State Secretary Jan Salestrand; from Norway, State Secretary Øystein Bø; from Estonia, Under Secretary for Defense Policy Miko Haljas.
Welcome all of you. This conference will start with Jukka Juusti giving remarks about the meeting and then we'll leave the floor to Deputy Secretary Work. After that, our panelists are welcome to fill in if they want, and we hope to have time for some discussion.
We have quite limited time, so I would ask you for short and concise questions.
But Permanent Secretary Jukka Juusti, the floor is yours.
FINNISH PERMANENT SECRETARY JUKKA JUUSTI: Good afternoon to everybody and welcome. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome -- to -- this press conference firstly on -- (inaudible) -- U.S. Nordic and Baltic colleagues for coming to Helsinki.
We had a very productive meeting today. This is actually the second time we meet in this --forum last time we met in Stockholm in April. There are many issues of common interest for this group of nations. Today, we discussed, among other things -- (inaudible) -- development, including the implementation of Warsaw summit decisions; NATO-EU cooperation, and challenges to the security in the Nordic and Baltic region and regional cooperation.
We also -- exchanged - the views on the coalition of counter-ISIL. This meeting demonstrated once again that this group of nations has a common interest in advancing the security and stability of northern Europe and Europe as whole. Finding solutions to common security concerns requires unity of effort and shared understanding of the security situation in the region.
With these few opening words - I would like to give the floor to Deputy Secretary Robert Work.
DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE BOB WORK: Good afternoon, everybody. I'd like to thank all of my colleagues and friends who are up here today for an excellent series of discussions today. And I'd especially like to thank President Niinisto, who I met this morning, and Minister Niinisto, who I met just before lunch and Permanent Secretary Juusti. He has been a terrific host to our entire delegation and I can't thank the government of Finland enough for the warm hospitality that they've shown us.
This is my fourth visit to the Nordic-Baltic region. It's strategically important to the United States and to all of Europe. But we'd be here and I'd be here even if it wasn't a strategically important region, because the countries in this region share the same values as the United States; democratic, searching for peace throughout the world and working hard to do that.
And I would just like to say that this first in Norway and then in Sweden and then now in Finland, I can't tell you how impressed I am of the capabilities of the armed forces in this region.
This afternoon, I had the opportunity to watch a training exercise and was just astounded that the troops had just had three months of training and they were operating as a cohesive unit, their esprit was high. It was quite impressive.
Well, today we've made further progress on security objective throughout the region. We shared ways to increase safety of flight, passage in the region, to prevent incidents involving military aircraft or vessels. We shared our observations and our concerns about Russian operations in this region. We talked about the fight against ISIL in Iraq, Syria and beyond. And we discussed opportunities for further cooperation that's already become an incredibly fruitful forum.
So this has been a very, very good opportunity for us to exchange views.
I was please earlier today to sign a statement of intent between the United States and Finland to strengthen what we consider to be a very strong bilateral security relationship. It makes our relationship, which is already strong, even stronger. It expresses our shared desire to cooperate on security issues of mutual concern and to ensure that our militaries can work together to confront issues of mutual concern.
This agreement is important for our bilateral relationship. It's also a visible sign of U.S. commitment to our friends in this region and our desire to work bilaterally, multilaterally, through NATO and through other venues and partners to promote peace and stability in the Nordic-Baltic region.
Now, I can't say enough, and I think everybody here knows, this is a very challenging security environment for all the nations in the region. From defeating ISIL to dealing with a more aggressive Russia, we have a lot to do, and the best way to address these challenges is together, which is exactly why this forum was formed and exactly why it is performing such important work.
So again, I want to commend and thank my colleagues, who I've grown to know and I consider friends, for their continuing efforts and our cooperation between the United States and all of the nations in this region.
STAFF: Thank you, deputy secretary.
Does - somebody else -- want to fill in - some remarks before we move to the floor, If not ... (inaudible) Could you wait for a microphone -- (inaudible). Present yourself.
Q: (inaudible) -- broadcasting company. Mr. Deputy Secretary, what is your analysis on last night's -- air space violations (inaudible) -- by Russian military -- (inaudible)?
MR. WORK: Jukka informed me of these violations, and unfortunately, these are becoming the norm rather than the exception. It is hard for me to fathom that Russia would consider Finland a threat in any way, and that activities like this, you know, are hard to understand.
So I can't tell you exactly why they occurred. I would leave that to President Putin. But again, the only thing I can say is these are becoming more normal rather than the exception. And I know all of the governments in the region are concerned about.
Q: Question about timing?
MR. WORK: Again, timing is - it's very opaque sometimes on what the Russians do and what they - what signals they are trying to send. So, I wouldn't want to speculate on the timing.
All I would say is, again, I'm saddened that this type of behavior continues to occur. And I would hope over time that it stops.
STAFF: (Inaudible.)
Q: (Inaudible) from (inaudible). One question to Mr. Robert Work.
When Vice President Joe Biden was in Sweden and he pointed out that the territory of Sweden is un-violated territory from the U.S. perspective. Has United States guaranteed the security of Sweden of officially or unofficially? And how would you describe the significance of the territory of Finland the U.S. perspective?
Thank you.
MR. WORK: Well, from the United States perspective of course, and most important relationships are in formal alliances where - and such as NATO, where an Article 5 trigger. Our commitment on Article 5 is absolutely ironclad.
If there is an attack against any member of NATO, we would respond. Now, the members who are not - I mean for countries who are not in NATO, especially in the Nordic Baltic region, we're extremely concerned about behavior - about Russian behavior against these countries. And that is why we think cooperative partnerships are exactly the way to go.
We are doing everything we can to improve - the interoperability of our forces. The counties - I mean Finland for example is enhanced opportunity partner [with] NATO who just signed a host nation agreement with NATO.
The statement of intent, which we signed today, is another indication of how closely we are becoming both with Finland and with Sweden, and with all of the other nations in the region, those in NATO. So, let me just say that the United States always stands by its friends.
STAFF: (Inaudible.)
Q: (Inaudible), Channel 3 Helsinki. I - I want to press more on this Statement of Intent. It says that our countries, U.S. and Finland, are be determined to enhance Trans-Atlantic security. But is (inaudible). How does it strengthen Finland's security since there are no specific or formal guarantees?
MR. WORK: I think I'll start and then I'll turn it over to Jukka. Essentially we have had a very strong relationship with Finland ever since Finland bought the F/A-18, we've had an extraordinarily close relationship with our air forces. And over time, especially since Finland has become an enhanced opportunity partner for NATO, we have been working closer, and closer, and closer with the military.
What the statement of intent does is it really focuses on three things, information exchange, focusing on interoperability, and working in exercises and things like that to strengthen the relationship between our defense establishments. And the third thing is to commit to continuing political dialogue on national security interests.
And the Statement of Intent, because you all know there is going to be a transition of government in the United States. We don't know whether it will Republican or Democratic.
But the statement of intent memorializes in a non-legally binding way that we want to continue this relationship because we think it's strong. So, that's the intent. And we think it's a good thing
MR. JUUSTI: Yes, thank you, thank you. And more or less the aim of the document is to give guidance to the already extensive defense cooperation, and as Bob was saying here one of the more important issues is that there will be the transition of the U.S. government after the election, and that provides the continuity in that sense and guidance. Thank you.
STAFF: I remind the other heads of the delegations, if you want to comment on something, please let me know. (inaudible)
Q: Yes, Swedish daily newspaper (inaudible) that had just reported that these air space violations yesterday, they were because of a (inaudible) ship, Russian ship transporting Iskander missiles from St. Petersburg to Kaliningrad. Could you please comment on this?
STAFF: Does somebody have information about this? (Laughter).
MR. JUUSTI: Yes, perhaps I can say a few words. Of course, as Bob Work was saying earlier that there's no way of us knowing what was the cause. There are some speculations and this is one of the speculations we have also, also heard. We are - our, our intel is more or less analyzing this issue and we will continue you that.
And we will find our opinion but I'm afraid it will not be a public opinion. But we will, we will find one. Our reasoning for that, so. But it, it is not clear at all. Let me put it that way.
Q: (Inaudible) referred to Estonia government sources. So could Estonia (inaudible)?
STAFF: Mr. Haljas?
MR. HALJAS: Thank you. At this stage, I am not, I cannot deny it. And I'm not in a position to confirm it. But obviously we are working with our intelligence and analyzing all the information that we have. We obviously (inaudible) but that is the maximum I can say at this point.
MR. WORK: If I could say, though, as I said, these type of activities are becoming more normal rather than the exception, and I think a common theme among all of us is these type of activities are unsafe, they're unprofessional, they're increasingly aggressive.
And all of these things could potentially lead to a tragic accident. Airplanes operating in the same airspace as commercial airliners in an unsafe manner is totally unsatisfactory. There is absolutely no justification for it.
So I think one of the things that I would say is regardless of the timing, regardless of the circumstance, these are unsatisfactory maneuvers that are unsafe, unprofessional and hopefully we'll be able to a see a moderation in them to avoid an accident or a tragic occurrence.
STAFF: (inaudible)
MR. URBELIS: Yes, I think we have to separate two issues. One is flight safety. What the Russians did quite recently and demonstrated yesterday, No flight plan, no transponder, no radio connections. All three conditions were not met by Russian over flights.
So that's - that's the reality that we are facing almost every day and all three conditions we're looking at. But on Iskanders, I think the Russians clearly said several times there will be Iskanders in Kaliningrad. So (inaudible) it's just a question f when and now not a question of if.
(Inaudible). (Inaudible) not a comment, it's just a question. When and how, not a question of if.
STAFF: Who's next? I warn you there will probably not be much time for anyone to answer. (Inaudible).
Q: Associated Press, (inaudible). Just a general question on these various kind of security arrangements. That - but we have now here eight countries with quite different kind of a security arrangements with the United States and with NATO.
So is it - is there a - Mr. Work, is there a - do you think there's some kind of confusion that we have now countries with bilateral deals with the United States and also NATO countries? Is there - is there going to be any - and confusion regarding on - on how this works?
MR. WORK: I don't believe so. The United States has alliances around the world, has partners in which we have bilateral relationships. We have multilateral engagements and organizations. All of them are designed primarily to improve the mutual security of all of the nations involved.
And some nations, it's better to work through partnerships, others through formal alliances. I think it's quite normal and I don't believe there should be any confusion at all.
Q: Thank you.
STAFF: Who's next?
STAFF: (OFF-MIC). Miss.
Q: (Inaudible) Finnish News Agency. Is this agreement today a final step for Finland to NATO membership?
MR. JUUSTI: Yes. I was expecting something like this would be asked. And it is not an agreement first of all it doesn't have any steps towards NATO. It is - it is a statement of intent. Which provides some guidelines to work together also in the future. So my answer is no.
(STAFF): (Inaudible)
Q: I have a question for Mr. Juusti. (Inaudible) identifying of the Russian planes?
MR. JUUSTI: That's pretty easy, become we don't comment on the operational data and frankly I don't know where they went. Thank you.
STAFF: (Inaudible.)
Q: Question for Mr. Robert work. NATO's deputy secretary general, (inaudible). And in interviews, he said to me that it in a crisis Finland and Sweden could participate in NATO's Baltic Sea operations. And also, they could help counties like Finland and Sweden. What is your comment on that? And is that possible?
MR. WORK: Well, I would leave it to the governments of the countries to say but, I mean, the host nation support agreement that Finland signed does say if NATO forces operated in the area, what steps we would have to take so that both parties would understand what is happening.
But every single situation will be unique, and every single situation will be decided by the respective governments of the countries involved. So the host nation support agreement just allows if something happens where we want to cooperate, we would have the steps able to do so. But it doesn't -- it doesn't bind Finland or Sweden or any other nation to any particular action.
STAFF: (Inaudible).
Q: Hello. I'm (inaudible) from AFP. I would like to ask Mr. Work both Finland and Estonia - well, no, sorry. I'm - I wanted to ask about this increased defense cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic countries that you now have.
Is it reflected in the U.S. defense budget for Europe somehow? And can you give us any figures about that, anything concrete? Thank you.
MR. WORK: The European Reassurance Initiative, which was initiated last year, appropriated about $3 billion for a wide variety of activities throughout Europe to include exercises, training, the prepositioning of equipment, and starting to rotate an Army brigade combat team in Europe.
These forces operate throughout Europe. They operate with Norway, they operate - they interoperate with Sweden. They interoperate with Finland, they interoperate with Denmark. They interoperate - we will actually have enhanced forward presence battalions in the Baltic regions.
I can't tell you how much will be in the FY18 budget. That is under discussion right now and will be up for the new incoming administration to decide. So all I will say here is I do not expect the level of investment to decrease. And I can't tell you exactly much more than that.
STAFF: (inaudible)
Q: Yes, for Mr. Work. The SOI says it says that it increases, among many other things, cooperative research and development in (inaudible) technologies and ship building. Finland has wanted to sell for a long time icebreakers to the United States. Is there some kind of cooperation on this emerging? Because I'm - they could be a very strategic vessels as well.
MR. WORK: Well, let me say I spent an hour on the Turva this morning. That is one heck of a ship. It is multifunctional, it is - the bridge looks like the Starship Enterprise. It was impressive in every way. The captain was impressive, the crew was impressive. And right now the United States is considering buying icebreakers.
And as I told Jukka, I'm going back and I'm going to say if we aren't talking closely with the Defense about icebreakers and how they should be designed and what they should be able to do, we're crazy. And I'll do everything that I can in the short remaining time that I will be deputy secretary to make sure that we explore this avenue.
STAFF: Final question to you, (inaudible).
Q: (Inaudible) deputy secretary you mentioned that - that's been a strong relationship ever since Finland started buying the F-18s. I wonder what is the importance of this new declaration when Finland again, buys new fighters?(Inaudible).
MR. JUUSTI: Yes, this is something which hasn't got any relevance on this one so this is no way any commitment or anything like that.
It is that we will continue cooperation in many areas and Finland has stated many times that we will have an open competition when procuring the replacement of the F-18, F-18 fleet and the procurement is going on and we have sent the request for information and we will get the information in November and after that we will have to analyze the information.
I believe it will be a couple of thousand pages for each and every company so it takes a minimum of one year to analyze these answers and then we will send out the final request for quotation which is more or less at what price will you sell this kind of equipment, what it will be capable of doing. But this statement of intent it hasn't got anything to do with this process.
Q: (Inaudible).
MR. WORK: Well I would just like to say, I believe we really started closer relationships when Finland procured the F/A-18 but let me just say, it won't matter whether it's a U.S. plane or a European plane. Ultimately if Finland decides, we are going to operate with Finland and Sweden regardless of the aircraft.
The defense relationships we have right now are so close, they go far beyond the platform and they go right towards interoperability in every sense of the word.
And again, I cannot emphasize the capabilities of the armed forces in the Nordic and Baltic regions. They may be small but they are extraordinarily professional and extraordinarily capable and the United States will count themselves lucky if they can operate them under any circumstances in however they were equipped.
STAFF: Does anyone of the -- heads of the delegation want to give a final comment. Or does Secretary Juusti want to give the final comment?
MR. JUUSTI: Did have a final comment? Yes. I would say that we had a very productive meeting and it was the seventh meeting in this format and we are expecting to continue to meetings in the future. This is extremely good working relationship among the nations and I believe all my colleagues agree on that one.
STAFF: I thank you heads of the delegation. I thank the deputy secretary. (inaudible) and also thank you representatives of the media being able to present very concisely and short question, short questions. This conference is over and the meeting will continue. Have a nice weekend everyone.