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25.5.2026
Finnish Act on Export Control of Dual-Use Items to be amended
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is preparing a government proposal for the amendment of the Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items (500/2024). The amendment would be technical in nature, and it would remove from the national control list items already listed at EU level as of November 2025, make the necessary changes to the Act in relation to the new national general export authorisations and further specify the reporting obligation. Stakeholders will be consulted on this legislative project in connection with export control training on Tuesday 2 June, starting at 15.30.
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22.5.2026
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19.5.2026
Export control training for exporters of dual-use items
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is inviting companies exporting dual-use items to take part in export control training on Tuesday 2 June 2026.
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13.5.2026
New national general authorisations facilitate exports to South Korea and exports by public authorities
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has made decisions on two new national general export authorisations for dual-use items. The first authorisation, FI002, reduces administrative burden on public authorities exporting dual-use items. The second authorisation, FI003, allows companies to export dual-use items to South Korea by notifying the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
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7.5.2026
World Village Festival to discuss journalistic freedom in conflict zones
The programme produced by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the World Village Festival in Helsinki will discuss journalistic freedom in conflict zones. The discussion will feature Kaisa Rautaheimo, a foreign correspondent for Helsingin Sanomat, and Maxim Fedorov, a journalist and non-fiction author, who is joining the discussion remotely from Kyiv, Ukraine.
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6.5.2026
Crisis Management NOW brings together people interested in the future of crisis management
Crisis Management NOW was held on 5 May at the University of Helsinki. The event drew experts, decision-makers and others interested in the topic to discuss the development and future direction of comprehensive crisis management. In 2026, Finland marks 70 years of engagement in international crisis management.
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30.4.2026
Residence permit services in the Middle East
The security situation in the Middle East affects the operation of Finland's missions and VFS application centres in the region. The availability of services may be temporarily limited.
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23.4.2026
Provisional application of EU–Mercosur agreement to begin: immediate tariff reductions available for companies
The EU–Mercosur trade agreement will be applied provisionally from 1 May 2026. Tariff reductions under the agreement will take effect gradually, and tariffs on certain products will be eliminated as of day one. For most products, tariffs will be eliminated over a transition period, the first stage of reductions taking place at the beginning of May.
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15.4.2026
Perceptions matter - fresh boost to Finland’s food country image
Finland’s food country image will be updated together with stakeholders and companies. The aim is to enhance Finland’s food country image so that it stands out and attracts interest and to update the export materials to promote the image.
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15.4.2026
Decree on Certain Documents Related to Export Control of Dual-Use Items enters into force
The Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Certain Documents Related to Export Control of Dual-Use Items entered into force on 15 April 2026. The decree supplements the Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items (500/2024), which entered into force in 2024, and clarifies the reporting and notification obligations for exporters. The provisions of the decree concern reporting on the use of the global export authorisations and the content of the notifications and reports related to the internal compliance programme and the use of the Union general export authorisations.
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15.4.2026
Progress in trade liberalisation: where to find information on dismantling of tariffs
The EU has concluded several free trade agreement negotiations over the past few months. The tariff treatment of different types of goods is often one of the first questions businesses seek answers to. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has put together some guidance on how and where to find information.
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2.4.2026
Consultation opens on two new national general authorisations for exporting dual-use items
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs requests comments by 22 April 2026 on draft decisions on two national general authorisations for exporting dual-use items.
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19.3.2026
Decree on certain documents related to export control of dual-use items approved
The decree on certain documents related to export control of dual-use items has been approved and will enter into force on 15 April 2026. The decree lays down provisions supplementing the Act on the Export Control of Dual-Use Items (500/2024).
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18.3.2026
Information for Finnish travellers in the Middle East
The situation in the Middle East is serious and concerning, and at this stage it is difficult to assess how long it will continue.
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11.3.2026
Information Request Regarding Plurilateral Trade Agreement on Critical Minerals
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment request views from companies and interest groups concerning potential plurilateral trade agreement negotiations on critical minerals.
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10.3.2026
Finnish Foreign Ministry supports scaling of African‑European innovations
The 2026 call for applications for the Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) funding is now open. JIF is designed to strengthen digital, climate-positive innovation activity. The funding will support the expansion of market-ready, digitally enabled innovations through cross-border partnerships.
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3.3.2026
Evaluation: Finland’s Environmental and Natural Resources Cooperation Generates Development Results and Business Partnerships
Finland’s development cooperation has strengthened the sustainable use of forests and water, improved access to clean energy, and supported disaster risk management in several partner countries, according to a new independent evaluation. The evaluation assessed results in the environment and natural resources sectors from 2010 to 2024, as well as opportunities for private-sector collaboration.
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1.3.2026
Finnish and Moroccan Foreign Ministers discussed topical issues in Rabat
The foreign ministers discussed the bilateral relations and the strengthening of trade relations between Finland and Morocco. They also addressed topical foreign and security policy issues.
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22.1.2026
Public Sector Investment Facility, PIF Concept Review 2026 opened
The Public Sector Investment Facility (PIF) is one of Finland’s development policy instruments for financing investments in developing countries. PIF provides financial support to such public sector projects in developing countries that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that make use of Finnish technology and expertise.
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16.1.2026
Call for project support applications for 2027–2030 opens for Finnish civil society organisations
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has opened a call for applications for project support available for Finnish civil society organisations (CSOs). The call is open from 16 January to 27 February. Applications can be submitted for discretionary government grants for development cooperation projects in 2027–2030. The grant is awarded from the development cooperation appropriations for Finnish CSOs’ development cooperation.
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15.1.2026
Crisis preparedness from media literacy to ocean currents – Nordic cooperation under Finland's and Åland's Co-Presidency in 2025
Finland and Åland led the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2025. The priorities for the Co-Presidency were children and youth as well as societal security.
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7.1.2026
One year at the helm of the OSCE: an overview of Finland’s 2025 Chairpersonship
Finland’s term as Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ended on the last day of 2025. Last year marked 50 years since the CSCE meeting in Helsinki and the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. The principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago because they represent the essence of humanity: the yearning for freedom, cooperation and peace.
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23.12.2025
Season's Greetings and Happy New Year
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland wishes everybody a joyous holiday season and a happy and peaceful New Year 2026!
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9.12.2025
Finnish MPs visit Zambia
A delegation of Finnish Members of Parliament from the Development Policy Committee visited Zambia on 22–28 November to discuss with the country’s political leadership the development of cooperation between Finland and Zambia and to learn about topical development issues in the country.
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8.12.2025
Foreign Ministry opens call for applications for government grants for foreign and security policy in 2026
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs opens a call for applications for discretionary government grants for civil society organisations (CSOs) and communities whose activities are relevant to Finland’s foreign and security policy and its international commitments and that support the promotion of international activities of Finnish businesses and the development and provision of services aimed at helping businesses to expand internationally.
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4.12.2025
Meeting of Nordic and Central Asian Foreign Ministers at the OSCE Ministerial Council highlights regional cooperation opportunities
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen hosted an informal meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the Nordic and Central Asian countries on the sidelines of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Council in Vienna on 4 December 2025. The meeting brought together ministers or their representatives from Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
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26.11.2025
Preparations continue on the decree on certain documents related to export control of dual-use items
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs received a total of 14 comments concerning the decree on certain documents regarding export control of dual-use items. The draft decree has been revised based on the comments received.
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19.11.2025
Held hostage by a foreign state: Independent International Panel recommends measures for states in its report
A report of the Independent International Panel on Arbitrary detention in State-to-State Relations was published in New York on 28 October. Ambassador Marja Lehto served as the Vice-Chair of the Panel.
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18.11.2025
Update to EU control list of dual-use items enters into force
The updated list of dual-use items subject to export controls in the EU, adopted by the European Commission in September, entered into force on 15 November 2025.
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11.11.2025
A year at Spanish diplomatic academy: Cooperation and global connections
Finnish diplomat Rasmus Salminen participated in a further training programme for diplomats, organised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The year-long training opened doors to global connections and provided fresh insights into international relations.
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14.10.2025
Export Control Forum in Brussels in November
The European Commission will hold its Export Control Forum in Brussels on 14 November 2025.
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7.10.2025
Join our Export Control Clinic
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will organise an event on current export control matters for exporters of dual-use items on 31 October 2025.
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3.10.2025
Finnish Immigration Service to issue residence permits for work and study to holders of Palestinian passports
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has changed its policy and will now be issuing residence permits for work or study to holders of Palestinian passports.
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3.10.2025
A new Entry/Exit System will be introduced in the EU
The European Commission has confirmed that the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be introduced on 12 October 2025.
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1.10.2025
Boosting climate finance through collaboration
The Nordic Climate Dialogues seminar on 1 October discussed the outlook for international climate finance in the coming years. Climate finance is expected to increase by more than 25 per cent annually; however, only a small part of the financing is used for climate action in the least developed countries.
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1.10.2025
How do you see Finland? Take part in our survey!
The Finland Promotion Board is currently updating Finland’s country branding strategy and is inviting everyone to contribute their views. The ‘12 questions about Finland’ survey provides an opportunity for people to share their perceptions and experiences of Finland. The answers will be used in future country branding work.
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25.9.2025
Request for information concerning trade with the United States
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs requests companies and interest groups to provide their views on export to the United States.
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4.9.2025
International top chefs take inspiration from traditional Finnish ingredients
The National Finnish Food Day was celebrated on 4 September. Finnish cuisine also featured prominently in training organised in Helsinki for international chefs working at Finnish missions abroad, with rye bread – Finland’s national food – taking centre stage.
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29.8.2025
Finland continues to recognize passports issued by the Palestinian Authority
The Finnish Immigration Service has changed its policy and is currently not issuing residence permits for work or study for holders of Palestinian passports.
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29.8.2025
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27.8.2025
Comments published on the decree on export control of dual-use items
The public consultation concerning the Ministry for Foreign Affairs decree on export control of dual-use items ended on 15 August 2025. The comments are available in the Gateway to Information on Government Projects.
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26.8.2025
Development financier Finnfund’s new investment fund to support digital inclusiveness in developing countries
The Finnish development financier Finnfund has set up a new investment fund to support the development of digital services and infrastructure in developing countries. The aim is to promote gender equality and financial inclusiveness in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
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31.7.2025
Video recording of the Helsinki+50 Conference
The Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship organised a conference on 31 July 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. The event was live-streamed.
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30.6.2025
Finland’s new Consulate General in Houston to open on 1 July 2025
Finland will strengthen its network of diplomatic missions in the United States with the opening of the new Consulate General in Houston, Texas, on 1 July 2025.
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18.6.2025
Harnessing AI for Efficient Use of Evaluation Evidence
The Development Evaluation Unit of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has launched a new AI-assisted tool called OpenEval, designed to serve the foreign service, stakeholders, and the general public alike. The tool makes it easier to access information from public evaluation reports.
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13.6.2025
Finnish sanctions authorities remind companies of the importance of sanctions
This week, the Finnish sanctions authorities will send a letter to companies cautioning them that they may be used as platforms or targets for circumventing trade sanctions. The purpose of this letter is to draw attention to the sanctions in force and to provide assistance in complying with them.
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12.6.2025
Read more about the Foreign Ministry’s trade promotion services
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has launched a new trade promotion services website offering comprehensive information on the Ministry’s services to businesses. The new service package comprises four categories.
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5.6.2025
Finland and the US co-host seminar in Helsinki against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish Customs in cooperation with the United States hosted a regional seminar of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The seminar was held in Helsinki, Finland, on 3–5 June 2025.
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5.6.2025
EU Arctic cooperation under the midnight sun
The EU Arctic Forum, to be held at Levi, Lapland, on 26–27 June 2025, gives European Arctic actors an opportunity to discuss the future of Arctic cooperation at its turning point.
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9.5.2025
Invoicing of export control services begins
The new Ministry for Foreign Affairs Decree on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service in 2025 entered into force on 1 January 2025. With the Decree's entry into force, export control services, such as the processing of various authorisations, were made chargeable.
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