The Finnish government’s national security committee (NSC) recently
updated its list of scenarios that constitute hybrid warfare against the
country, adding foreign real estate acquisitions, information warfare
and “strategic use of migration” to more common security threats of war
and terrorism. While a direct military confrontation with Russia remains
highly unlikely – despite several Russian incursions into Finnish air
and naval territory in 2014 and 2015 – growing security concerns could
have a direct bearing on efforts to restrict foreign land ownership in
the country.
Russia’s role
The assessment, which is updated by the NSC on an ad hoc basis, is
almost exclusively concerned with Russia and Russian activities in or
near the country. Land purchases by Russian companies and individuals
has grown since the 2000s, prompting concerns among Finnish officials
about the potential security implications of Russian ownership of land
and properties located in the vicinity of military areas and outposts or
other strategically important infrastructure.
A report produced in mid-2015 by a national security working group
highlights the fact that Russian individuals and companies have bought
land near military facilities, airbases and weapons storage facilities,
as well as in the vicinity of key infrastructure hubs for electricity
and transport. Old hotels, schools and service stations across the
country have also reportedly been sold to foreigners. In June 2015, the
government intervened directly to block a planned purchase of land near a
military shooting range close to the Russian border.
The recent revision does not indicate a deterioration of the security
environment. The potential security threat from land purchases mainly
relates to a situation in which the country is directly targeted by a
military attack, which remains unlikely. Nevertheless, the concerns are
likely to be cited by those who support greater restrictions on foreign
land ownership. Restrictions on land ownership has been a recurring
political issue over the past few years and the justice ministry is
working on a proposal that would give the government the right to stop
planned sales in strategically important locations. Given EU and
national law, such a law would have to apply to all non-EU companies.
While in practice likely to be used mainly in deals involving Russian
companies or individuals, it would increase the scope for government
interference in other sales as well.
Forbes