Henry Kissinger was supposed to speak at a conference in Helsinki, but he had to cancel his trip.
20:00•Updated 20:10
Distinguished former US Secretary of State and long-time diplomat Henry Kissinger commented on Finland’s decision to join the military alliance NATO.
The 99-year-old Kissinger says in his video message that Finland joining NATO is significant. Finland’s way of handling diplomatic relations can have a great impact on European security and guaranteeing peace in Europe.
Kissinger served as US Secretary of State Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford in the seasons between 1973 and 1977. He was also involved in following the historic European Security and Cooperation Conference in Helsinki in 1975.
At that time, Finland took an important initiative that had significant effects on the easing of tensions that started from the Second World War.
Kissinger says that he is impressed by Finland and especially by how Finland practiced diplomacy during the Cold War.
Although it was important for Finland to remain strong, it managed to maintain diplomatic relations with its eastern neighbor.
– Finland became a friend of Europe, but it maintained its relationship with Russia, which made military actions unnecessary, Kissinger says in the video.
According to Kissinger, the foundation was laid in Helsinki in 1975 for citizens in many Eastern European countries to have the opportunity to build a new identity.
The summit agreed, among other things, on the free movement of people and information, and according to the OSCE agreement, the Soviet Union and its allies committed to uphold human rights.
Kissinger also knows the history of Finland’s winter war and says that he admires the Finns’ attitude in the war.
– I admire Finland for its courage and ability to think, Kissinger says in his video message.
Kissinger was supposed to speak at the European Business Leaders’ Convention in Helsinki, but he had to cancel his trip. He did not say the reason for the cancellation.