Foreign Minister Soini attends the OSCE Ministerial Council in Belgrade

Foreign Minister Timo Soini will take part in the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Belgrade, Serbia, on 2–4 December. The key themes on the agenda of the Ministerial Council will be the situation in Ukraine and the OSCE's activities in the country, migration, the OSCE's combat against terrorism, as well as discussion on the development and reinforcement of the organisation.

The Ministerial Council intends to agree about draft proposals on topical questions, such as condemning terrorism and cooperation under the OSCE between public authorities in migration issues. Finland is a firm advocate of decisions that support the strenthening of human rights and the promotion of equality.  Finland has actively contributed to the negotiations aiming at bringing the OSCE's Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality up to date.

Foreign Minister Soini will have bilateral meetings in Belgrade with the OSCE Chairperson, Serbia's Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, and colleagues from other OSCE Participating States. The Minister will also participate in a working dinner on 3 December, hosted by the Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.

Inquiries: Jussi Tanner, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 350 663 and Jukka Salovaara, Director General, tel. +358 295 350 636, Ambassador Katja Pehrman, Permanent Representative of Finland to the OSCE, tel. +43 676 8483 50350.