New Minister for Foreign Trade Jari Vilén sworn in
New Minister for Foreign Trade Jari Vilén was sworn in on Friday, 4 January, at a special Government session after being appointed by the President of the Republic. His successor Kimmo Sasi was assigned as Minister of Transport and Communications. The Cabinet shuffle took place following the appointment of previous Transport Minister Olli-Pekka Heinonen as Director at the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, as of February this year.
At the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Minister Vilén is responsible for external economic relations. At the Prime Minister's Office, he is responsible for matters covered by the Government Secretariat for EU Affairs, excluding matters related to the European Council, amendments to the Treaties establishing the European Union and appointments related to the European Union that fall into the mandate of the Prime Minister's Office. At the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Minister Vilén is responsible for trade related issues.