The Unit for the Middle East is responsible for the following issues:

• bilateral relations, the EU’s external relations and multilateral institutions in all fields of cooperation (political, trade policy, commercial and economic, cultural and development cooperation) in respect of these countries
• regional organisations and other bodies of cooperation
• contribution to the conflict prevention efforts in the countries as a part of Finland’s general foreign policy
• the EU’s Mediterranean Policy
• monitoring of the operation of international organisations and financing institutions in the countries and participation in the policy formulation processes of these organizations, as appropriate, and provision of expert advice on the countries and the region to other Departments of the Ministry.