By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis
applauded Finland’s contributions to democracy and global security today after
meeting with the country’s most-senior government official.
As part of his five-day trip to Europe, Mattis spoke today
in Helsinki, after meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.
“My country highly values Finland's contribution to the
global coalition to defeat [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria],” Mattis said
in a press appearance with Niinistö.
“I think that your tactically skillful and ethically sound
troops have brought courage and competence to the battlefields against
terrorism in the same manner in which your country has brought compassion to
the humanitarian fields on so many occasions,” the secretary said.
Mattis added, “The lessons of our success in reducing the
terrorist threat is a reminder that we are strongest when we democracies stand
together, united in the face of barbarism, united in the interest of peace.”
Reaffirming Strong U.S.-Finnish Relations
Mattis welcomed the “deepening bilateral and NATO defense
partnership with Finland” and applauded the Nordic nation’s initiative to
establish the European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats.
“With this center, Finland has created an institution fit
for our time, and I thank you, Mr. President, for your foresight,” Mattis
commented.
The secretary complimented Finland’s commitment to Nordic
defense cooperation, to include assuming the chair for the Arctic Council.
“By tightening such cooperation here in the north, we see
the deterrent capability of democracies strengthened,” he said. “In today's
conversations, we reaffirm that relations between Finland and the United States
have never been stronger.”
While in Finland today and tomorrow, Mattis is meeting with
the Northern Group, a multilateral forum of 12 countries, including the five
Nordic countries -- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden; the three
Baltic countries -- Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania; Germany; the Netherlands;
Poland and the United Kingdom.
Key Partnerships in Europe
Mattis is on a multination European trip to reaffirm key
partnerships and alliances in Europe, according to a Defense Department press
operations statement.
En route to Finland, he told reporters the trip is an
“opportunity to reiterate: We stand by our friends, democracies, NATO and
otherwise in Europe, if any nation, including Russia, seeks to undermine the
rules-based international order.”
Mattis travels on to Belgium for a NATO defense ministerial
meeting. He separately hosts a meeting of ministers from the defeat-ISIS
coalition.
He concludes the trip Nov. 10 in London where he will meet
with Gavin Williamson, Britain's new defense secretary.
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