Current Affairs
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4.12.2024
Development Policy Committee visits Ethiopia to learn about Tigray’s humanitarian situation and Finland's development cooperation results
A delegation of Members of Parliament from the Development Policy Committee visited Ethiopia on 24–30 November to learn more about the humanitarian situation in Tigrey and about the results of Finland’s Country Programme for development cooperation. The delegation was led by Member of Parliament Jani Kokko (Social Democratic Party), who is the Vice-Chair of the Development Policy Committee. Members of Parliament Inka Hopsu (Green League), Tuomas Kettunen (Centre Party), Ari Koponen (Finns Party) and Sari Tanus (Christian Democrats) were also part of the delegation.
Press releases -
3.12.2024
Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items and guidelines for companies are now available in English
Does your company or customers need legislation or guidelines concerning the export control of dual-use items in English? You will find the links on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
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3.12.2024
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend OSCE Ministerial Council meeting
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to be held in Malta on 5–6 December. Malta is currently holding the OSCE Chairpersonship. Finland will take on the Chairpersonship in 2025.
Press releases -
2.12.2024
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend a meeting of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Brussels on 3–4 December.
Press releases -
2.12.2024
Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous to visit Finland
Executive Director of UN Women Sima Bahous will visit Finland on 3–4 December. She will meet President of the Republic Alexander Stubb, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio and Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen. Bahous will also participate in annual consultations on UN Women’s work and results at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Press releases -
28.11.2024
Finland to reinforce links between trade and development with Nepal, which is on path to becoming middle-income country
Nepal, Finland’s long-term partner country in development cooperation, is expected to graduate from a Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. Finland and Nepal established diplomatic relations 50 years ago. Finland is now aiming to diversify its partnership with Nepal and increase commercial and economic cooperation with the country by taking advantage of the links between trade and development. Effective development cooperation plays a key role in bilateral relations.
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27.11.2024
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to visit Finland
Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ararat Mirzoyan will visit Helsinki on 28–29 November at the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Press releases -
26.11.2024
Ministry for Foreign Affairs report: Russians’ attitudes towards Finland are contradictory, no major changes compared to the previous year
According to a survey commissioned by the Embassy of Finland in Moscow, the number of Russians with a negative attitude towards Finland has not increased compared to the previous year, but the hardening of attitudes is evident over a longer observation period. However, some positive perceptions of Finland persist. The most positive attitudes are found among young people.
Press releases -
22.11.2024
Monday 25 November marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – government buildings to be illuminated as part of campaign
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, as designated by the United Nations (UN). Violence against women is also a significant problem in Finland, and solving this problem is everyone’s responsibility. The Government Palace and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ main building, Merikasarmi, will be illuminated in orange as part of the international campaign.
Press releases -
22.11.2024
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Tavio to visit Nepal
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Nepal on 25–28 November.
Press releases -
21.11.2024
Deputy Director General appointed to Department for Development Policy
At its session on 1 December, the Government appointed a new Deputy Director General for the Department for Development Policy.
Press releases -
21.11.2024
State Secretary Rajala to attend Halifax Security Forum and visit Washington DC
Pasi Rajala, State Secretary to Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen and Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, will attend the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada on 22–24 November. On his way to Halifax, Rajala will visit Washington DC.
Press releases -
21.11.2024
Finland withdraws from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council
Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025. Finland will continue cooperation in the northern regions through other channels.
Press releases -
21.11.2024
EU trade ministers to discuss trade agreements and EU-US trade relations
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its trade configuration in Brussels on 21 November 2024. Items on the agenda for the Council include trade relations between the EU and the United States and the future of the EU's trade policy, especially trade negotiations. The ministers will also discuss the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Press releases -
20.11.2024
Foreign Ministry to suspend country programme for development cooperation with Somalia
The Finnish Government Programme outlines that the readmission of nationals and support for the international rules-based order are conditions for Finland’s development cooperation. Readmissions cooperation with Somalia, which is one of Finland’s partner countries in bilateral development cooperation, has not progressed as planned. For this reason, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will suspend the implementation of Finland’s country programme for bilateral development cooperation with Somalia.
Press releases -
18.11.2024
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18.11.2024
Estonia’s energy transition opportunities and investments on the agenda of Minister Tavio’s visit to Tallinn
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Tallinn with a business delegation on 18 November.
Press releases -
15.11.2024
Regional group of European countries working together to further counter the Russian “shadow fleet”
On 13-15 November a group of 12 coastal countries from the Baltic Sea and the North Sea met in Helsinki and Tallinn to discuss further joint actions against the Russian “shadow fleet”.
Press releases -
15.11.2024
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15.11.2024
Finland to strengthen environmental cooperation with Ukraine
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio has decided to allocate funding for cooperation between the Finnish Environment Institute and the environmental authorities of Ukraine.
Press releases -
15.11.2024
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, EU-US relations, Horn of Africa and Georgia
EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 18 November. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
Press releases -
13.11.2024
United States, Canada, and Finland Sign MOU to Build Arctic and Polar Icebreakers
New trilateral arrangement formalizes collaboration on the production of Arctic and polar icebreakers.
Press releases -
13.11.2024
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13.11.2024
Finland to second experts to International Criminal Court
Finland will second five new national experts to the International Criminal Court in The Hague as part of Finland’s contribution to civilian crisis management. The experts will take up their duties in November and January.
Press releases -
12.11.2024
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Tavio visits Kyiv to attend international School Meals Coalition meeting and support Ukraine’s reconstruction
On his visit to Kyiv on 12 November, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio announced Finland’s pledge to support the Ukrainian education sector reform and to grant humanitarian assistance. In Kyiv, the Minister also signed a framework agreement on a mixed credit instrument between Finland and Ukraine.
Press releases -
11.11.2024
Join export control clinic
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will organise an event on current export control matters for exporters of dual-use items on 29 November 2024.
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11.11.2024
Finland hosts UN Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab’s Scale Accelerator Programme in Espoo
Finland is hosting the Scale Accelerator Programme in Espoo together with UN Global Pulse, which is the UN Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab, and Finnish partners. The programme helps to enhance solutions developed by the UN for greater impact together with Finnish and international innovation actors. The seven innovative projects selected for the programme from around the world aim to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Press releases -
10.11.2024
Foreign Minister Valtonen to speak at Paris Peace Forum and meet new French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot
Minister for Foreign Affairs Valtonen will attend the Paris Peace Forum on 11 November. She will speak at a panel dealing with the future of Ukraine.
Press releases -
8.11.2024
Finland to continue its participation in EU military assistance mission in Ukraine
On 8 November, the President of the Republic decided to extend Finland’s participation in the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in support of Ukraine. Finland will continue its participation in EUMAM until 15 November 2026 with a maximum of 60 soldiers serving in training and advisory tasks.
Press releases -
8.11.2024
Appointments: Head of Mission to Ottawa and non-resident Ambassador to Benin and Ghana
At the presidential session on 8 November, the President of the Republic appointed a Head of Mission to Ottawa and a non-resident Ambassador to Benin and Ghana.
Press releases -
5.11.2024
Finland to host the Small Advanced Economies Initiative in Helsinki
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs, The Prime Minister’s Office, The Ministry for Education, Science and Culture, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will host the Small Advanced Economies Initiative’s annual Principals Meeting in Helsinki 5-6 November 2024.
Press releases -
1.11.2024
Programme for Presidency of Nordic Council of Ministers focus on civilian crises preparedness and resilience as well as children and youth
Finland, together with Åland, holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. The programme for the Presidency “Nordic Region 2025: United and Strong” was presented at the Nordic Council plenary session in Reykjavik on 29 October.
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1.11.2024
Benin's Foreign Minister Olushegun Adjadi Bakari to visit Finland
Benin's Minister of Foreign Affairs Olushegun Adjadi Bakari will visit Helsinki on 4–5 November and meet with Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
Press releases -
1.11.2024
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Tavio to lead trade mission to China
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will lead a trade mission to China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 4–8 November.
Press releases -
31.10.2024
Foreign Ministry seeks young Finnish peacebuilder for international mentoring programme
In June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen announced Finland’s and South Africa’s joint mentoring programme for young mediators. The programme is part of the implementation of the Letter of Intent on cooperation in mediation between Finland and South Africa.
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31.10.2024
Finland finances environmental security in Ukraine from development cooperation appropriations
The destruction caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further increased the importance of environmental security. Environmental cooperation is one of the priorities of Finland’s development cooperation in Ukraine, and it is financed from development cooperation appropriations administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
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30.10.2024
Statement by Nordic Ministers of Foreign Affairs on the situation in Georgia
We, the Nordics, join the international calls for a thorough and impartial investigation of reported irregularities before and during Georgia’s 26 October parliamentary elections. It is essential to dispel doubts that have been cast on the integrity of the electoral process.
Statements -
30.10.2024
UNICEF’s Child-lens Investing Framework developed with Finnish support wins TIME invention award
UNICEF’s Child-lens Investing Framework helps investors assess how their investments impact children and encourages investors to finance projects that improve children’s wellbeing.
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30.10.2024
Finland channels core funding to UN organisations
Finland has granted core funding from the 2024 development cooperation appropriation as follows: EUR 25 million to the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, EUR 19 million to UN Women, EUR 7 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF, EUR 2 million to the United Nations Development Programme UNDP and EUR 1.5 million to the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP.
Press releases -
30.10.2024
MFA business event: How may the sanctions adopted by the EU, the US and the UK affect your company?
On 18 November, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs together with the US and UK sanctions authorities will organise a business event to discuss what it means to comply with the sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom and how the sanctions may affect your business. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of the key sanctions, the associated risks, and the circumvention of sanctions.
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29.10.2024
National general export authorisation for dual-use items to facilitate exports; new guidance for businesses
Following the new Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted a national general export authorisation. The national authorisation allows businesses to export dual-use items on the national control list to certain countries simply by notifying the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Ministry has also issued guidance for businesses on export control legislation.
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28.10.2024
Project on Local Adaptation to Climate Change to continue Finland’s close cooperation with Nepal and EU
Finland will launch a new bilateral project in Nepal with a focus on the sustainable use of natural resources and the development of climate measures at the local level. The project will be implemented by Cowater International Finland OY.
Press releases -
25.10.2024
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit China
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit China on 29–30 October as part of the delegation accompanying President of the Republic Alexander Stubb on his state visit. Minister Valtonen will travel to Beijing and Shanghai.
Press releases -
24.10.2024
Finland pledges EUR one million in support for IMF’s Ukraine Capacity Development Fund
The Ukraine Capacity Development Fund (UCDF) aims to support Ukraine’s policy and reform agenda. The fund supports on macroeconomic stabilisation, post-war reconstruction and Ukraine’s path to EU membership.
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23.10.2024
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23.10.2024
Permanent State Secretary Salovaara to attend conference on Lebanon in Paris
France will host an international conference on the current situation in Lebanon on 24 October 2024 in Paris. Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara will represent Finland at the event.
Press releases -
21.10.2024
Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen to attend 25th anniversary of Nordic embassies in Berlin
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Berlin to attend the 25th anniversary of the Nordic embassies on 21 October. Foreign Minister Valtonen and her Nordic colleagues will meet Germany’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock in connection with the event.
Press releases -
18.10.2024
Appointments: Head of Mission to Maputo and non-resident Ambassador to Cambodia
At the presidential session on 18 October, the President of the Republic appointed a Head of Mission to Maputo and a non-resident Ambassador to Cambodia.
Press releases -
18.10.2024
Minister Tavio to visit Vietnam and the Philippines to promote exports
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will make an export promotion visit to Vietnam and the Philippines on 21–25 October, accompanied by a business delegation.
Press releases -
16.10.2024
Nordic-Baltic foreign ministers visited Ukraine
On October 16th 2024, the Nordic-Baltic countries’ foreign ministers visited Odesa, Ukraine. The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine resulting in further loss of lives, injuries, and widespread destruction. Finland is represented by Political State Secretary Pasi Rajala.
Press releases