Opening Remarks by Minister Elina Valtonen at the OSCE's Annual Security Review Conference

Opening Remarks by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen at the OSCE's Annual Security Review Conference in Vienna 25 June 2025.

Distinguished participants, dear colleagues,

We live in an age of intense geopolitical confrontation. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine violates the UN Charter and the Helsinki principles. This war fundamentally undermines the security order in Europe. Finland stands with Ukraine and with the brave Ukrainians, who are defending their country as well as the European security order.

All efforts to negotiate a just and lasting peace are welcome. Ukrainians deserve to live in peace and freedom. Indeed, all inhabitants of the OSCE area deserve peace and freedom.

Dear participants,

The priority in many European capitals has turned to hard security, national defence and the defence industry. Both decision-makers and citizens are focused more intensively on these issues than at any time since the Second World War.

For Finland, national security and a whole-of-government approach to security has been part of our national thinking for decades. Finland’s decision to join NATO was based on a thorough assessment of the changed security environment. Finland joined Nato not to threaten anyone but to take care of our own safety and make sure our children are able to choose their own destiny.  By joining NATO, Finland exercised the sovereign right of all nations to choose their own security arrangements. This is one of the ten Helsinki principles. For Finland, defending the rules-based international order is a priority.

Excellencies,

We are now halfway through the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship, during which we mark the 50th anniversary of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Helsinki Final Act. I have launched the Helsinki+50 Initiative to discuss potential ways to revitalize the OSCE. I will host a high-level Helsinki+50 Conference later this summer in Helsinki, with the focus on reaffirming to the OSCE principles and to their importance to the European security.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are pleased that this Annual Security Review Conference is possible to be organised as a mandated Conference. The ASRC is crucial for reflecting on the security situation in Europe.

Finland’s Chairpersonship of the Forum for Security Cooperation taking place later this year will deepen discussions on some of the key themes that we have emphasised throughout the year, such as resilience and Women, Peace and Security.

I wish you all a successful conference. Thank you.