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.

Government report on Finnish foreign and security policy

Finland’s foreign and security policy is founded on value-based realism. Its goal is to safeguard Finland’s independence and territorial integrity, to avoid becoming involved in a military conflict and to improve the security and well-being of the people of Finland.

Current affairs

15.10.2026

Director General appointed to Department for International Trade

On Thursday 15 October, the Government appointed Counsellor for Foreign Affairs Päivi Pohjanheimo as Director General of the Department for International Trade in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The appointment is for a fixed term between 19 October 2026 and 31 August 2030.

Press releases
14.10.2026

Finland to host School Meals Coalition Summit in 2027

Finland will host the Global Summit of the School Meals Coalition in Helsinki in October 2027.

Press releases
13.10.2026

Singapore-Finland Joint Statement on Foreign Policy and Cooperation in the Age of AI

Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, and Ms. Elina Valtonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, met in Singapore to reaffirm the close partnership between their countries and to outline a shared approach to foreign policy and cooperation in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Statements
12.10.2026

Foreign Minister Valtonen calls for complete EU ban on Russian tourist visas

Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen urges EU Member States to stop issuing tourist visas to Russian citizens until Russia ends its war of aggression in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Valtonen calls for a tighter visa policy to be applied across the EU.

Press releases
8.10.2026

Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Singapore

Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Singapore, where she will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo on Tuesday 13 October.

Press releases