Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU has meant a full calendar for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. On the other hand, it has provided new opportunities for making things happen. The Ministry’s experts have chaired some 30 EU working parties of the Council preparing a wide range of decisions on policy issues ranging from trade to humanitarian affairs. Finland’s Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels has borne the brunt of the Presidency effort. Experts from all the administrative branches have been involved in the daily toil of chairing the bodies preparing EU decisions. Finland’s missions abroad have also contributed to disseminating the Presidency’s messages.

Finland will now give the rest of the world a word, to encourage international discussion about equality and inclusivity, and to support everyone who is working to promote them. The word is: hän.