President Niinistö makes timely state visit to Sweden

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö pays a state visit to Sweden on Tuesday and Wednesday alongside along with his spouse Jenni Haukio.

The visit started at 11am (EET) when the royal household welcomed the presidential couple in a ceremony outdoors the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

The visit comes at an important time, as Finland and Sweden are anticipated to collectively submit their Nato functions on both Tuesday or Wednesday— presumably throughout Niinistö’s visit.

Mikko Majander, a researcher at Magma, a think-tank specialising in Finnish-Swedish relations, predicted that many Swedes shall be out on the streets in Stockholm to greet Finland’s president, as Niinistö’s reputation has risen significantly this spring in Sweden.

“There is no reason to go as far as to say that this is a type of personal worship, but there is a possibility that the meeting between the heads of state will give a symbolic boost to public opinion,” Majander mentioned.

He additional famous that public opinion has been an necessary power in each Finland and Sweden main to the 2 Nordic nations deciding to apply for Nato membership.

King Carl XVI Gustaf has no function in Sweden’s Nato software course of and the state visit is, above all else, ceremonial.

Niinistö’s agenda will embody a naval base visit with Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces Micael Bydén, discussing safety and defence coverage with Prince Carl Philip, and an official assembly with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

“Given the timing of this meeting, it will have extra symbolism,” Majander emphasised.

The final time Niinistö paid a state visit to neighbouring Sweden was 10 years in the past, in the beginning of his first time period in April 2012.

According to Majander, it’s logical that state visits come in the beginning and finish of the presidency. He believed that even with out the backdrop of each international locations’ Nato functions, the state visit would nonetheless have been deliberate, provided that Niinistö’s second time period ends in 2024.

Although heads of state usually meet in varied contexts, the state visit has a particular significance going past day-to-day politics and defence cooperation.

“The state visit has a spiritual dimension of how truly equal neighbours feel a deep sense of belonging and want to show this, not only through decisions, but also in a way that touches emotions,” Majander mentioned.

Finland and its politics have by no means been extra on the forefront of Sweden’s public dialogue, in accordance to Majander.

He added that Niinistö’s New Year’s speech kickstarted Swedish curiosity in Finnish politics. In his speech, Niinistö highlighted Finland’s Nato possibility and the truth that Russia had questioned the sovereignty of Finland and Sweden.

Until then, the final assumption was that Finland’s Nato place was predicated on what Sweden selected to do. However, Finland’s path in direction of Nato has additionally paved the best way for Sweden’s determination.

Last week, the Swedish tabloid Expressen revealed an editorial in Finnish titled “Thank you for Nato assistance- big brother Finland.” Daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter additionally praised Finland for its braveness and coolness.

Majander mentioned that he believes the Finnish hype will subside in Sweden because the Nato course of progresses and he doesn’t consider that the picture of Finland, which “pressured” Nato membership on its neighbour, would survive in Sweden.

“It is clear in Sweden that Finland is applying to Nato regardless of what Sweden does,” Majander acknowledged.