Finland's bunker: Security policy between defense and migration!

Finland's bunker: Security policy between defense and migration!

Helsinki, Finnland - Jussi Halla-AHO, chairman of the right-wing populist party "True Finns" (Perussuomalaiset/PS), has commented on the situation at the borders of the European Union in a current statement. He criticizes the EU for outsourcing its border control to Turkey, which he describes as irresponsible. Especially with regard to the increase in refugee numbers on the border between Turkey and Greece, Halla-AHO sees significant risks to European security. He emphasizes that the EU should control its external boundaries instead of relying on Turkey, which he does not assess as a reliable partner. Halla-AHO demands support for Greece in the physical protection of its limits and advocates internal border controls within Europe.

In the meantime, the focus was also on the national security measures of Finland. According to Kleine Zeitung , the new President Alexander Stubb has spoken out on security policy challenges for a relaxed approach. Finland, which has been a member of the NATO since 2023, sees increased threats exposed to its border due to a growing military presence in Russia. This situation requires a review and strengthening of the national security strategy, which has been continuously adapted in recent years.

Finland's security architecture

The bunker systems in Finland play a central role in civil protection. The capacities have not been reduced since the Cold War, and the country has more than 50,000 shelters that offer space for around 4.8 million people - that is about 85 percent of the population. In the capital Helsinki alone there are up to 900,000 protective places for the 650,000 inhabitants and visitors, of which 180,000 are housed in large public bunker systems.

On Friday afternoon, Halla-AHO visited one of these bunker systems in Merihaka, which is used as a sports center in everyday life, but can take up to 6,000 people in an emergency. These systems are not only an important part of Finnish civil protection, but also an expression of Finland's continued commitment to collective security, which is reflected in its military readiness and well -trained reservists - around 280,000.

challenges from the refugee crisis

Halla-AHO also expressed his concerns about the continuing refugee crisis, which is tightened by opening the Turkish borders for Syrian refugees. This decision marks the end of the EU-Türkiye agreement concluded at the end of the 2016 and brings the potential for a humanitarian disaster to the limits. He sees the possibility of a blackmail attempt on the part of Turkey to the EU and asks the Member States to proceed strictly in processing asylum applications.

The Finnish government describes Halla-AHO as migration-friendly, which can lead to a polarized debate in view of the national security situation. In North and Eastern Europe, there are already concerned voices that warn a serious revision of asylum policy in order to counteract possible risks. These debates are reinforced by the historical experience of Finland, which often navigates between East and West.

continuously in focus, security policy in Finland will continue to be seen as a central element of national identity and sovereignty. These developments underline the need for a robust and adaptable policy that reacts to both internal and external threats.