Current affairs

On 6 August 2020, Finland decided to support the operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Lebanon by one million euros. The operation focuses on water, health and food security, and material assistance will be provided to, for example local hospitals in Beirut.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA) announces a Call for Proposals for International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)/globally operating Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO support) concerning a coordination of the Afghan civil society’s contribution to the Afghanistan pledging conference slated to take place in November 2020. The Call for Proposals is open from Thursday 6th of August to Friday 21st of August.

At its session on 6 August, the Government decided on changes to border traffic restrictions and travel recommendations. Internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and the Netherlands, Andorra and Belgium. All persons returning from abroad must take note of the quarantine instructions provided by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare.

At the presidential session on Friday 7 August, the President of the Republic appointed a new Ambassador to Pretoria.

On 6 August, the Government appointed Kirsti Pohjankukka to the post of Director General for Human Resources at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.