Press releases
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15.4.2026
Foreign Ministry sends out for comments draft government proposal to amend Passport Act and Identity Card Act
The proposal seeks to update legislation on passport and identity card services with regard to the activities of the Foreign Service.
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13.4.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Canada
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will travel to Canada on 13–14 April.
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10.4.2026
2025 saw historic decline in international development finance
The official development assistance (ODA) continued to decline in 2025 both globally and in Finland. Statistics indicate a broad shift in global development finance. Ukraine remained Finland’s largest partner country for bilateral development cooperation.
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9.4.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to travel to the United States
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit the United States on 9–13 April.
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7.4.2026
Minister Tavio to lead trade mission to South Korea
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will lead a Team Finland trade mission to South Korea's capital Seoul on 8–10 April. The Minister will be accompanied by a group of Finnish companies in the thermal energy sector.
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4.4.2026
Finnish authorities repatriate minor from Iraq
The Finnish authorities repatriated a Finnish minor from Iraq to Finland on Friday 3 April.
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2.4.2026
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot to visit Helsinki
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Prévot will visit Helsinki on 7 April and meet Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
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30.3.2026
Minister Adlercreutz to attend EU foreign ministers’ informal meeting in Kyiv
EU foreign ministers will hold an informal meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 31 March. Taking place on the anniversary of the discovery of the Bucha massacre, the meeting will be an important signal of the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz will represent Finland at the meeting.
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30.3.2026
Finland to grant humanitarian assistance to Lebanon
Finland will grant two million euros in humanitarian assistance to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR’s operation in Lebanon to support refugees and internally displaced persons.
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27.3.2026
New heads of mission appointed to Budapest, Hong Kong and Shanghai
At the presidential session on Friday 27 March, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions, starting on 1 September 2026: Pekka Kaihilahti, Finland’s Embassy in Budapest; Juha Niemi, Finland’s Consulate General in Hong Kong; and Joonas Heiskanen, Finland’s Consulate General in Shanghai.
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26.3.2026
Finland prepares to open consulate in Munich
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will continue to reform its network of diplomatic missions by establishing a consulate in Munich, where Business Finland formerly had an office.
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24.3.2026
Finland becomes contributing partner in US-led programme promoting responsible use of small modular reactor technology
Finland has joined the US-led Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) programme as a contributing partner. Led by the State Department’s Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (ACN), FIRST harnesses the power of the nuclear industry to expedite responsible nuclear reactor deployment worldwide.
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24.3.2026
Kauppapolitiikka magazine: The limitless potential of space
Space offers almost limitless possibilities for business and innovation. The theme article of the latest issue of the Kauppapolitiikka trade magazine explains the diverse dimensions of the space economy and looks at its growing importance for Finnish businesses.
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20.3.2026
New heads of mission appointed to Riga, Brussels, Tallinn and the Permanent representation of Finland to the OSCE, Vienna
At the presidential session on Friday 20 March, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions, starting on 1 September 2026: Anu Vuori, Finland’s Embassy in Riga; Jari Sinkari, Finland’s Embassy in Brussels; Hannu Heinonen, Finland’s Embassy in Tallinn; and Outi Hyvärinen, Finland’s Permanent Representation to the OSCE.
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16.3.2026
Ministers for Nordic cooperation to set up commission to examine possible update of Helsinki Treaty
At their remote meeting on Monday 16 March, the ministers for Nordic cooperation decided to set up a commission to examine ways of strengthening the status of Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland in Nordic cooperation. Minister for Nordic Cooperation Anders Adlercreutz represented Finland at the meeting.
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13.3.2026
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s war of aggression, the Middle East and the Southern Neighbourhood
EU foreign affairs ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 16 March. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
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13.3.2026
New heads of mission appointed to Algiers, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile and Tunis
At the presidential session on Friday 13 March, the President of the Republic appointed the following persons to serve as heads of missions, starting from 1 September 2026: Ann-Christine Krank, Algiers; Veikko Kiljunen, Buenos Aires; Salla Sammalkivi, Santiago de Chile; and Markku Lampinen, Tunis.
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12.3.2026
OSCE report: Human rights situation in Georgia has worsened since spring 2024
An OSCE Moscow Mechanism report on the developments in Georgia in respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms since spring 2024 was presented at the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on 12 March. It offers recommendations to the Georgian authorities, the OSCE participating States and the international community on how to address problems of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.
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12.3.2026
European Court of Human Rights decides expropriation case
On 12 March 2026, the European Court of Human Rights issued a decision in a case concerning the expropriation of real property and the amount of compensation paid for expropriation. The Court unanimously declared the applicants’ complaint under Article 1 (protection of property) of Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights inadmissible as manifestly ill-founded.
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11.3.2026
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann to visit Finland
Secretary-General of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Mathias Cormann will visit Finland from 11 to 12 March. During the visit, he will meet Finland’s political leaders and attend a consultation event preceding the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
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10.3.2026
Emma Virkkunen appointed as Special Adviser to Foreign Minister Valtonen
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen has invited Emma Virkkunen to serve as her Special Adviser. Virkkunen took up her post on 9 March 2026.
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9.3.2026
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Tavio to lead trade mission to Mexico
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio and a delegation of ten Finnish companies will visit Mexico on 9–13 March. The Team Finland trade mission pursues to strengthen trade relations between Finland and Mexico and promote cooperation between the two countries.
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9.3.2026
Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov to visit Finland
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov will visit Helsinki on 9 March and meet with Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
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6.3.2026
Finland to focus on supporting women in conflicts and strengthening gender equality at session of UN Commission on the Status of Women
The 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will take place in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026. Finland will be represented at the session by a broad-based delegation led by Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, who is responsible for gender equality issues.
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5.3.2026
EU foreign ministers to discuss situation in the Middle East
The foreign ministers of the EU and the Gulf countries will hold an informal video conference on 5 March. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
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4.3.2026
Repatriation Flight from Oman
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is preparing a repatriation flight for Finnish citizens and permanent residents of Finland who are currently in the United Arab Emirates and need assistance in leaving the region. The repatriation flight will depart from Muscat, Oman.
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2.3.2026
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2.3.2026
Visa consideration for berry pickers aims to prevent exploitation and trafficking in human beings
Wild-berry picking has been regulated under the Seasonal Workers Act since 2025. Companies must hire foreign berry pickers subject to a visa requirement for a contractual employment relationship to enable them to apply for an entry permit to Finland. For stays up to three months, berry pickers apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish mission abroad.
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2.3.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend meeting of Baltic Sea states in Warsaw
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend an informal ministerial meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Warsaw on 4 March.
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28.2.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Rome
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Rome, Italy, from 2 to 3 March. During her visit, she will meet Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, attend an Italian-Finnish business forum and speak at the Arctic Circle Forum about Finland's Arctic foreign and security policy.
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27.2.2026
New heads of mission appointed to Finland’s Consulate General in New York and Consulate in São Paulo
At the presidential session on Friday 27 February, the President of the Republic appointed Miia Rantanen to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Consulate General in New York and Anna Yletyinen to serve as Head of Mission at the Consulate in São Paulo.
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27.2.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Morocco
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will meet the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, in Rabat on 1 March.
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25.2.2026
President Alexander Stubb and security policy drew global attention to Finland in 2025
Security policy topics, which have dominated international coverage on Finland since 2022, continued as the key theme in 2025. The number of news headlines about Finland was lower than the previous year, but President of the Republic Alexander Stubb assumed a significantly more visible role on the international stage. Country brand surveys indicate that Finland’s brand has become more positive, and awareness of Finland has increased since 2024. However, Finland’s positive image development has not fully kept pace with other countries.
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25.2.2026
Executive Director of UNFPA Diene Keita to visit Turku: Meeting with Minister Tavio to discuss reproductive health and international corporate responsibility
Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Diene Keita will visit Finland on 26 February. Executive Director Keita will meet with Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio in Turku and learn about Finnish medical technology and pharmaceutical industry expertise.
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25.2.2026
Development Policy Committee’s discussion paper: Businesses need stronger incentives and fewer obstacles in development financing
Finnish businesses are well‑positioned to produce sustainable development solutions for developing countries while at the same time identifying new growth markets. However, it is essential to increase incentives and reduce obstacles to participation, particularly for small and medium‑sized enterprises.
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23.2.2026
Finland grants EUR 20 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine
At the start of the year, the humanitarian assistance decisions of Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs prioritise support for Ukraine, major refugee crises in Africa and the humanitarian situation in the Middle East. The humanitarian assistance Finland now grants totals EUR 72 million, and EUR 20 million of this assistance will go to Ukraine. Humanitarian needs are record high at the same time as global funding is declining.
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23.2.2026
Minister Tavio to visit London
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit London on 23–24 February to promote commercial and economic cooperation between Finland and the United Kingdom, in particular in the security, defence and space technology sectors. Minister Tavio will also meet Minister of State for Development Baroness Chapman and Minister of State for Business and Trade Chris Bryant.
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20.2.2026
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and situation in the Middle East
EU foreign affairs ministers will convene for a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 23 February. Political Secretary of State Pasi Rajala will represent Finland at the meeting.
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18.2.2026
EU trade ministers to discuss WTO Ministerial Conference and EU–China trade relations
Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend an informal meeting of EU trade ministers in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 19–20 February. Topics on the meeting agenda include the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference and the EU’s trade relations with China. The ministers will also be briefed of the EU’s ongoing trade agreement negotiations with various trading partners.
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16.2.2026
Minister Adlercreutz’s trip to Greenland has been cancelled
The visit was cancelled because the connecting flight to Greenland was cancelled due to weather conditions.
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15.2.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territory
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territory on 15–16 February.
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13.2.2026
Minister Adlercreutz to attend meeting of ministers for Nordic cooperation in Copenhagen
Minister Anders Adlercreutz, who is responsible for Nordic cooperation will travel to Copenhagen to attend a meeting of the ministers for Nordic cooperation on 18 February.
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12.2.2026
Foreign Minister Valtonen to attend Munich Security Conference
Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the Munich Security Conference in Germany on 13–14 February. At the conference, she will speak at a high-level event on comprehensive security.
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11.2.2026
Foreign Ministry’s consular services assist over 245,000 Finns around the world in 2025
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Finnish missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 245,000 customers in 2025. In addition, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 6,700 times over the course of the year.
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9.2.2026
Swedish Foreign Minister to attend Hanalys foreign policy forum in Finland
Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will visit Finland on 10 February. Minister Malmer Stenergard has been invited by Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen to attend the Hanalys foreign and security policy forum in Hanaholmen on 10 February.
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6.2.2026
Finland to Strengthen Gender Equality Efforts in Ukraine with EUR 3 Million Contribution to UN Women’s Ukraine Country Programme
Finland will allocate EUR 3 million to support UN Women’s Ukraine Country Programme for the years 2026–2028. This long term commitment underscores Finland’s dedication to advancing the rights of women and girls and contributing to Ukraine’s reconstruction. Strengthening gender equality also supports Ukraine’s path toward EU approximation.
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5.2.2026
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to visit Finland
Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, will visit Helsinki on 5 February and meet Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen. Their discussions will focus on the current situation within foreign and security policy.
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5.2.2026
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković to visit Helsinki
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elmedin Konaković will visit Helsinki on 6 February and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen.
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4.2.2026
Finland launches EUR 20 million project to support education in Ukraine
Finland is boosting its support for the reform of Ukraine’s education system through Learning2gether2. The project is a EUR 20 million investment in Ukraine’s EU approximation, reconstruction and long-term education reform. It will be implemented in 2026–2029.
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3.2.2026
Minister Tavio to visit Washington D.C. to promote Finnish-US commercial cooperation
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit Washington D.C. in the United States from 4 to 5 February. The aim of the visit is to expand relations with the US administration and to discuss topical commercial and economic issues and bilateral relations between the two countries.
Press releases