Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini to Italy

Minister for Foreign Affairs Soini will visit Rome and Vatican City from 19 to 21 February and have a meeting with his Italian counterpart. This year marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Finland and Italy.

Foreign Minister Timo Soini will meet Italy's Minister of Foreign Affairs Enzo Moavero Milanesi in Rome. In addition to the countries' bilateral relations, the Ministers will discuss such topical EU matters as migration, the multiannual financial framework and Brexit.  They will also discuss Finland's ongoing Arctic Chairmanship, Presidency of the Council of Europe, and upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.

 During his visit, Minister Soini will meet the President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of Parliament and Italian members of parliament.

At the Vatican, Minister Soini will have a meeting with Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, with whom he will discuss mediation and migration matters. Mediation is one of Minister

Soini's priorities and the role of religious leaders is an important part of the promotion of dialogues. Furthermore, Minister Soini will pay a courtesy call to Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

In addition, Soini will attend a Papal audience for the general public and have an opportunity to greet Pope Francis.

Inquiries: Riikka Taivassalo, Special Adviser to Foreign Minister Soini, tel. +358 46 923 4581

The Foreign Ministry’s email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname@formin.fi.