Dr. Seppo Kääriäinen, Minister Of Defence Of Finland, the F-18 Hornet 10 years in Finland

Honourable Commander, Our American Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen It gives me a great pleasure to start my address to this audience by emphasizing the Finnish Government's commitment to maintaining good transatlantic relations.

This principle is included in the Government's Policy Programme - probably for the first time in Finnish history. The United States is an important partner for Finland and Europe in economic, cultural, and political terms and also in security matters.

In addition to bilateral aspects of relations, there is an even more important aspect of European-US relations where development has been somewhat bumpy in recent times. Finland firmly represents the thinking according to which there are only losers, if the transatlantic link is allowed to erode.

As our Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said in a recent Defence News interview, there is little to gain from establishing a purely European military alliance that would overlap with NATO, or compete with it. Finland must use its EU presidency, later part of 2006, to build political and defence bridges between Europe and the United States. The EU will continue to work for such suitable solutions that contributes to a strong military relationship. This can be best done in partnership with the United States and in cooperation with NATO, Prime Minister Vanhanen pointed out.

I see a great benefit in a close co-operation between the US and Finnish governments, militaries and companies. That co-operation rests on the network of Memoranda of Understanding and reciprocal agreements, some of which need to be strengthened and reformulated. There are also new avenues, like Declaration of Principles, which we are extremely interested in. It is our sincere intention to deepen the bilateral defence co-operation in the spirit of these arrangements. Co-operation is also embedded in an acquisition of military technologies, through outright purchases or through exchanges of information that is advantageous for both of us.

Defence materiel cooperation inside the EU and EDA, European Defence Agency, is developing positively and is becoming increasingly important also for us in Finland. However, we have to keep in mind that this European co-operation does not exclude the transatlantic co-operation. Finland maintains and develops its credible defence capability as a militarily non-allied state. In this role, we are to some extent dependent on high tech transfers from US as well as on the US release policy.

One good example of the bridge and partnership between Finland and United States is the Finnish F-18 Hornet program. We have gathered here today to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Hornets in Finland. I would like to remind you of the Hornet decision in the beginning of the 1990s, when Finland lived through a severe and dramatic economic depression. Even the political atmosphere was tense then. Prime Minister Esko Aho, Finance Minister Iiro Viinanen and Defence Minister Elisabeth Rehn - without forgetting the rest of the Government - made a bold and future-oriented decision on the Hornet acquisition in very difficult economic and political circumstances. Let's give credit to those to whom it belongs.

Ten years sounds like a long time, but we have to keep in mind that we will maintain and operate our fleet until 2030. In that respect we have just started our long journey together. Co-operation between the US and the Finnish authorities as well as the co-operation with the US companies has been working really well and in a supportive atmosphere. The program has increased the knowledge and understanding of all parties in the areas of security policy, military professionalism and good relations between US and Finnish citizens who are involved into this program. I sincerely hope that the ongoing co-operation and interaction will continue fruitfully not only for the remaining 25 years but also beyond that.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The acquisition of F-18 Hornets ten years ago has been an essential part of the Finnish transformation, a modernization process that has taken our air force to the 21st century. It is one proof of the Finnish determination to build and preserve the credible national defence.

The Finnish F-18 program with your outstanding support and leadership successfully continues to move forward with a high level of performance. Keep up the good work also in the future coming years remembering that we should not be completely satisfied yet. I am sure that we will face several challenges before the final disposal of the last aircraft. At the same time I am also confident that together we will continue to be successful for many years to come.

I would use this opportunity to thank you for all you have done so far.

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