Current Affairs

The Embassy of Finland in Astana handles relations with not only Kazakhstan but also with Kyrgyzstan, which is Finland’s partner in development cooperation. The increasingly frequent exchanges of visits and the growing interest in the cooperation opportunities available in Central Asia keep me busy, says Soili Mäkeläinen-Buhanist, Finland’s Ambassador in Astana.

Finland’s new Special Envoy for Climate Change Kerstin Stendahl has been following international climate and environmental negotiations for nearly three decades. Stendahl has held leading positions in the Ministry of the Environment and in the United Nations, among other places.

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari led a broad delegation on a visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from 21 to 24 February. The Team Finland visit was organised in collaboration with EastCham Finland, which is a Finnish chambers of commerce focusing on the Central Asian market. Emerging economies are interested in Finnish expertise in such sectors as education, energy and the environment.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail visits Finland from 1 to 2 March.

The new Higher Education Partnership development cooperation programme emphasises equal partnerships between higher education institutions, increases mobility and promotes closer collaboration between administrative staff, teachers and students.

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto at the High-Level Segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council's 52nd session on 27 February 2023.

Passports and identity cards issued by the Finnish authorities will have a new appearance as of 13 March 2023. Minor technical adjustments will also be made to residence permit cards and residence cards. The changes will have no effect on the validity of previously issued passports, identity cards or residence permit documents.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Geneva, Switzerland, from 26 to 27 February. He will deliver Finland’s address to a High-Level Segment of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council on 27 February.

On 25 February 2023, the EU imposed new sanctions as a response to Russia’s continued attacks against Ukraine’s civilian targets and critical infrastructure. The tenth package of sanctions introduces new export bans on critical technology, industrial products and dual-use items. In addition, the EU introduces new measures to prevent the circumvention of sanctions.

Finland stands with Ukraine now and in the future, says Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto in Finland’s national statement on the anniversary on 24 February 2023 of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Russia launched its illegal invasion of Ukraine one year ago. The invasion is a flagrant violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. The repercussions of the war have been felt globally, and Russia’s aggression has been condemned in resolutions of the UN General Assembly. Russia’s war of aggression has led to the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen since the Second World War. Millions of Ukrainians have had to leave their homes and the number of casualties keeps rising as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine’s cities and critical infrastructure.

Friday 24 February marks the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will mark the day in many ways. Finland wants to show its solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and to commemorate the victims of Russia’s aggression.

Finland contributes EUR 5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to support the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. With Finland’s support, WFP is buying grain from Ukraine and taking it to African countries affected by the food crisis.

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will lead a broad delegation on a visit to Uzbekistan from 21 to 23 February and to Kazakhstan from 23 to 25 February. Minister Skinnari is scheduled to meet state leaders of both countries.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has awarded EUR 1,726,000 in discretionary government grants to 26 civil society organisations (CSOs) operating in the field of foreign and security policy.

Over the last decades Nordic countries have been pioneering green technologies. Together, the Nordics and India can power the green transition the world needs.

EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on Monday 20 February. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will represent Finland at the meeting.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany from 17 to 19 February.

Under-Secretary of State Pasi Hellman from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will attend the pledging conference of the Education Cannot Wait fund in Geneva 16 to 17 February. The fund supports education in humanitarian and prolonged crises. Finland will grant two million euros to the Education Cannot Wait fund this year. In 2020–2022, Finland supported the fund by a total of EUR 6 million.