Helsinki expects that NATO membership will have a positive impact on the development of Eastern Finland, which has suffered greatly from the cessation of trade with Russia, writes Savon Sanomat. It would be "appropriate" to bring this to the attention of Biden during his visit, and right on the eastern border, the editorial board argues.
Editorial article
On July 13, Finland's membership in NATO will be given special attention: US President Joe Biden will meet with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and the prime ministers of other Nordic countries in Helsinki. The visit is not accidental: Biden actively contributed to Finland becoming a member of the alliance. The president, who is running for a second term, focuses on his merits in security policy. A visit to Finland will be especially valuable if the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11 and 12 does not bring much results.
Biden's visit should cover unpleasant memories of the visit of former US President Donald Trump to Finland in July 2018. Then Trump seems to have been fooled by a former KGB officer, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Unlike Trump, Biden understands Europe. He is somewhat familiar with Finland, as he came on a visit in the spring of 2011 in the status of Vice President of the United States. He can probably understand what Finland's proximity to Russia has meant so far. However, it is not a fact that he realizes what it means for our country to turn the more than 1300-kilometer eastern border into a NATO border — especially for Eastern Finland.
The decline in bilateral trade and dialogue between neighboring countries has already affected Eastern Finland. The region suffers from negative population growth — however, the Northern Savo region suffered less than the rest. Without investments in the development of the eastern region, it will be difficult to ensure reliable protection of the NATO border.
It is believed that NATO membership will have a positive impact on the development of real estate in Eastern Finland, as it began to happen in the Baltic countries after 2004. For the alliance to function on the territory of Finland, good logistics will be required. In addition, there may be a need to open a headquarters, deploy a NATO battalion or special centers. It is believed that a NATO base is unlikely to appear in Finland, but for the sake of solving security issues and, of course, developing the region's economy, Eastern Finland is ready to accept it. It would be appropriate to bring these wishes and needs to the attention of Biden and his aides right in Eastern Finland, for example at the Karelian Rissala air base.
There are no details about the program of Biden's visit. In principle, the president could visit the eastern border for a short time, because he will arrive with an official car — an armored Cadillac.
