NATO & Finland: Navigating the Future of Our Partnership 

Join us and follow along with our panel discussion where we will discuss the broader implications of Finland’s NATO integration for European and transatlantic relations. How can Finland strike a balance between its historical non-alignment and its growing role within the Alliance? 

Our speakers will explore the interconnectedness of Finland’s NATO integration with broader European and transatlantic relations, highlighting its influence on EU ties and NATO’s strategic reach.  

Speakers will also address the potential impact of Finland’s NATO alignment on Arctic security dynamics and environmental conservation efforts. How might NATO collaboration influence policies regarding the fragile Arctic region? 

Following, speakers will consider the economic and trade ramifications of Finland’s closer integration in NATO. How might Finland’s NATO involvement influence trade partnerships and economic ties with both NATO and non-NATO countries? 

Our experts will then examine the potential for increased scientific collaboration and innovation between Finland and NATO member states. How might Finland’s participation in NATO contribute to joint research projects, technological innovation, and knowledge exchange? 

Finally, speakers will discuss evolving public opinion in Finland regarding NATO collaboration, the role of civil society in shaping the discourse, and the impact of public opinion on domestic politics. 

The discussion is hosted live at Tiedekulma 19.10.2023 13-15. You can also follow the discussion via livestream. You can also register for the event here and we will email you the link. 

Christopher Krafft, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki. Prior to his current assignment, Krafft has held various diplomatic positions, including serving as Chargé d’Affaires in Kampala, Uganda, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Lusaka, Zambia. Mr. Krafft’s extensive career also includes roles in the U.S. State Department and Congressional advisory work, and he holds a master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. 

Charly Salonius-Pasternak, leading researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA). Salonius-Pasternak’s main areas of expertise are U.S. foreign and domestic policy and Finnish security and defense policy. Salonius-Pasternak is currently a researcher on a project that explores opportunities in defense cooperation between NATO countries. 

Pekka Toveri, retired Major General and member of the Finnish Parliament. Pekka Toveri has more than 35 years of experience in the Defense Forces and defense administration. During his career, Toveri has worked, among other things, as a trainer and commander in two troop departments, in crisis management operations, and as a defense representative in the United States. Toveri has also worked as a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. 

The panel will be moderated by Stefan Lindström, Ambassador of Digitalization and Technology. Prior to this assignment, he worked as Consul General/Ambassador at the Finnish Consulate General in Los Angeles, as Deputy Director at the MFA in Helsinki, as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Finnish Embassies in Lisbon, Portugal and Jakarta, Indonesia. Before that, he was the adviser to the undersecretary of state at the MFA in Helsinki, Finland and served with the Finnish missions in the USA and in India.