Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
Last Thursday, the Embassy of Finland celebrated National Day, commemorating the independence of the Nordic country declared by its Parliament on December 6, 1917.
Ambassador Jari Luoto stated at the beginning of his address that since his arrival in September, “it has been easy to see that Finland and Spain share a mutual interest in broader cooperation, both bilaterally and within the European Union. Promoting trade and investment is one of the Embassy’s key areas.”
“In the coming year,” the ambassador continued, “we will continue to promote cooperation in the areas of clean energy, the circular economy, digitalization, smart city solutions, naval and maritime technology, as well as defense and satellite technology. An updated memorandum of understanding on defense is pending formal signature, and consultations on cybersecurity are underway, which will include authorities and companies from Finland and Spain. The ties between Finland and Spain continue to strengthen, not only through trade and telecommunications, but also through cultural exchange, tourism, and the active Finnish community residing here.”
Jari Luoto highlighted the Embassy’s collaboration with “its partners” in the cultural sphere, the Ibero-American Institute of Finland, located here in Madrid, and in the economic sector, the Spanish-Finnish Chamber of Commerce.
“Located at opposite ends of continental Europe, Spain and Finland work together to develop our European Union. We are both staunch advocates for reforms that strengthen the European Union, and at the same time, we strongly support its enlargement. At a time when ambitious climate and environmental policies are being challenged, Finland and Spain continue to champion decisions that are absolutely crucial for a sustainable future. Together, we work for a more competitive Europe within the Friends of the Single Market group, with the aim of achieving a fully cooperative capital markets union. Likewise, we must continue working together for a more resilient European Union, a union capable of defending its citizens in a world that has suddenly become a very turbulent place,” said Jari Luoto.
The Finnish ambassador continued, referring to the current state of the European continent, noting that “for Europe, this is a moment of awakening, a moment to take responsibility for our own security in a way that entails a fundamental shift from the post-World War II order. Europe is living through a dangerous time. Nowhere is this more evident than in Ukraine, where people, both civilians and soldiers, are dying every day under the brutal attacks of Russian forces. We feel a deep solidarity with Ukraine. It is easy for us, as Finns, to identify with the plight of the Ukrainians. There are chapters in our history where we have been in the same situation. That is why it is easy for us to understand how precious freedom is and how invaluable it is to receive support when everything is at risk. The Finnish people stand united and steadfast in their support for Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting not only for its own future, but for the entire rules-based international order.”
“We cannot allow the aggressor to impose restrictions on Ukraine or other states that, as members of NATO or the European Union, are the only ones with the power to decide on assets. Ending this war is a matter for the entire international community. Those who act against international law must be condemned, not rewarded,” the ambassador asserted.
In closing, Ambassador Jari Luoto emphasized that “the courage that once defended Finland’s freedom and independence now drives our responsibility in the world. Today, Finnish courage means defending democracy, equality, and peace. It is reflected in our commitment to cooperation, human rights, and shared security—values that connect Finland with our partners around the world.”
