Foreign policy and security policy

Finland’s foreign and security policy aims at preserving its independence and the democratic core values of society and promoting the well-being and security of its citizens.

As a Member State of the European Union and a member of the international community, Finland exercises foreign policy with a view to securing its national interests and endeavors to contribute to world peace.

Foreign and security policy is based on good bilateral and international relations, a strong role in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the EU, effective multilateral cooperation and credible national defence.

Also in this site

News, 6.9.2018

New Deputy Director General to the Department for the Americas and Asia

On Thursday 6 September 2018, the Government nominated Counsellor Jukka-Pekka Kaihilahti as Counsellor for Foreign Affairs starting on 10 September 2018.

On the same date, the Government appointed him to serve as Deputy Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for a fixed period from 10 September 2018 to 31 August 2022.

Jukka-Pekka Kaihilahti will transfer to the Department for the Americas and Asia from the Mission of Finland to NATO in Brussels, where he has served as Deputy Head of Mission since 2013. He has also worked in Finland's missions abroad: in Mexico in 2010–2013, in Brazil in 2004–2007, and in Beijing in 2000–2004.

In 2009–2010, Kaihilahti worked in the Unit for Eastern Asia and Oceania of the Ministry. He was then responsible for commercial and economic questions related to China and for matters concerning South Korea. Before that, he worked in the Unit for South-Eastern Europe, where he handled matters relating to France, Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Monaco in 2007–2009.

Kaihilahti holds a Master of Social Sciences degree.

Inquiries: Pirjo Tulokas, Deputy Director General for Human Resources, tel. + 358 0295 351 413