Interview with the Roving Ambassador of Finland for the South Caucasus

We had the opportunity to talk with the Helsinki resident Finnish Ambassador to the South Caucasus, H.E. Kirsti Narinen, about bilateral relations between Georgia and Finland, current developments in the region, the steps involved in becoming a member of the European Union and NATO, and the efforts that Finland is taking to promote equality within society as a whole.

After visiting Georgia several times as a non-resident ambassador, what has most impressed you about the country?

In Georgia, I am impressed by the skills and commitment of young people, young professionals to develop Georgian society and bring it step by step closer to the European standards which have been set as the goal by the Georgian constitution. This was seen also in the recent reaction against the Law on Foreign agents. All efforts available should be invested in the future and future is in their hands. Obviously also food and wine never seize to amaze me.

What are the areas of collaboration between our two countries, and how can they be expanded?

Bilateral relations between our countries are good but there remains a lot of potential to be identified and used. We recently had a MFA deputy minister for international trade, Nina Vaskunlahti visiting Georgia and many fields of economic cooperation were found in logistics, environment, renewable energy etc - many fields where Finland is globally recognized. There is an International Finnish School in Tbilisi, as a living sign and model of the Finnish education system. Finnish and Georgian companies need more information about each other and we have many ideas how to bring them together.

Finland has been a big contributor to EUMM. Finland strongly supports the territorial integrity of Georgia and is actively following geopolitical development in the region, also as my position is regional. Finland has had many diplomats in visible international positions with/in Georgia. We are interested, and we are also increasingly concerned, with our EU- and other partners, about the political trends in Georgia.

In light of your career background and knowledge of Russia and post-Soviet countries, how would you analyze the current developments in the region, as well as the right course of action for Georgia, considering that 20% of its territory is under Russian occupation?

Firstly, we at the Finnish MFA have decided not to use the term ”post-Soviet states” as all they have their own history and identity which goes way beyond those sad years of oppression of that very identity.

My term started September 2020, only a few days before the second Karabah-war, which has very much dominated my agenda. It changed the geopolitical dynamics of South Caucasus entirely. There have been ups and downs in the reconciliation/peace process. EU has had a visible role and hopefully that shall increase. Also Georgia has contributed positively in stabilizing the region. Russia’s role in the peace process has had its moments, but in general terms Russia seldom hopes to see problems solved as confusion gives them more leverage to influence and control.

Russia’s illegal and unjustified military aggression and war in Ukraine has had a tremendous impact on all Europe, in trans-Atlantic relations, in Central Asia and South Caucasus. No matter how and when the war ends, our European security system is damaged, many think that beyond repair. Many are pondering which side shall prevail and are positioning themselves taking all options into account.

Finland and EU stand firmly behind and with Ukraine as we consider Ukrainians defending our European values and each country’s democratic right to choose its friends and allies. Till this moment Finland has given Ukraine 930 million Euros of military, humanitarian, environmental and technical support, in addition to political statements and visits. More than 90% of Finns consider this to be right and needed, condemning the Russian aggression. Ukraine shall be supported as long as is needed.

As mentioned, Finland considers Georgia to cover the territory within its internationally recognized borders and as long as that territory is not under Tbilisi control, international and national efforts are needed. It is important for Georgia to profile itself as a reliable and stable partner to maintain those efforts in full.

Are you optimistic that Georgia’s European and Euroatlantic perspectives will be realized in a few years, and what should it do to accelerate the process?

In a few years might be optimistic and the process depends entirely on Georgians and the Georgian government. Europe is open for all those who want to abide by the European norms and values. To quote my Estonian colleague, ambassador Riina Kaljurand – “The EU is not Rome, and not all roads lead to EU. You have to choose the right one. We wish to see you among us. We are ready to assist but the path is yours to walk.”

EU has set quite clear criteria and recommendations to all those countries who are proceeding on their path towards EU, and the same applies to NATO. This is all clear also to Finland and Sweden who are walking their NATO-path as we speak. It requires a lot of desire, commitment and compromise to become a member of an already existing club with already existing rules. This is clearly the goal of the Georgian people.

As this issue is being published during Women’s History Month, I would like to hear about your experience as a woman in international affairs, what challenges, if any, have you faced at work, and what advice would you give to women starting out in their careers?

I have been in this service for almost 40 years, and I have seen the times and attitudes changing. In my early years most diplomates and Ambassadors were men, which still is the case in many countries. At this moment in Finland it is 50/50, but considering the number of female diplomates, there should be more female Heads of missions.

In wider Finnish society, the pay-gap continues to be a serious issue, not to mention domestic and gender based violence. So there is still a lot to be done, in every country. But state is doing a lot. Legislation must be non-discriminatory, and protecting the rights of all vulnerable groups. And for instance good quality day care for children is essential to enable mothers to combine family and career. Also, or even particularly, men need to see their role in gender equality - the Finnish minister of Defence just returned to work after two months of paternity leave. Role models are needed in every respect.

Women need to see their role as it is. I personally have never thought of myself as a female diplomate, only as a professional in my profession. This was underlined also by the Finnish very well known Prime Minister Sanna Marin – “don’t see me as a young female PM, just as a PM”. And she is also a mother, and so am I.

For younger diplomates, male and female, I say: you need to have enough skills and knowledge to ask the right questions, learn languages - also the small ones, be honest - also about your own country and be a nice person. Then you get the right responses, you get closer to your interlocutors, you are remembered by your professionality and your social skills. This is particularly important to the representatives of small countries.

Finland recently published a program of enhancing efforts to implement UN resolution 1325 Women Peace and Security. The Finnish program aims at increasing women’s role and efforts in conflict prevention, peace building, reconciliation, political decision making and crisis management, to mention some. Women can and need to contribute to world peace and stability a lot more than they currently do. International focus on this is clear and acknowledged. We shall have parliamentary elections in two weeks - it shall be interesting to see if we finally could see more than half of the 200 being women.