Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to visit Lebanon and Jordan

Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Lebanon and Jordan on 26–27 May. While in Lebanon, she will also visit the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In Lebanon, Minister Valtonen will meet, among others, President Joseph Aoun and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji. During her visit to Southern Lebanon, Minister Valtonen will learn about the UN’s UNIFIL peacekeeping mission, where approximately 200 Finnish peacekeepers are currently serving.

In Jordan, Foreign Minister Valtonen will meet King Abdullah II and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi. The programme for the Minister’s visit in Jordan also includes meetings with representatives of the UN.

“The situation in the Middle East has alarmingly escalated with the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. It is essential to engage in dialogue with the region’s countries. Finland has very good relations with Jordan and Lebanon. During my visit, I would like to thank both Jordan and Lebanon for their great efforts in hosting Syrian refugees,” Foreign Minister Valtonen says.

“I will take the opportunity to show Finland’s unwavering support for the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Southern Lebanon and for the 200 Finnish peacekeepers there,” Valtonen says.