President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss damage to underwater infrastructure in Finland’s neighbouring areas, the related international cooperation, and the security situation in Europe and the Middle East

On Friday 20 October, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy received a briefing on the situation regarding underwater infrastructure in Finland's neighbouring areas. Particular attention was paid to the investigation of the damage to underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea on 8 October and international cooperation on the matter.

Together with Estonia, Finland has been actively providing information to NATO Allies and EU partners about the damage to the gas pipeline and telecommunications cable and the progress of the investigation. The EU and NATO, and many allies and partners bilaterally, support the investigation and follow-up measures in line with Finland's wishes.

The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed the negotiations between Finland and the United States on a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and the progress made in that regard.

In addition, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy were briefed on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and the security situation in Europe, Russian citizens’ entry into Finland at the Eastern border, and Hamas’ attack on Israel and the situation in Gaza.

Inquiries: Petri Hakkarainen, Director General, tel. +358 295 351 130, Ministry for Foreign Affairs; Kirsi Pimiä, Under-Secretary of State (underwater infrastructure), tel. +358 295 488 203, Ministry of the Interior; Mikael Antell, Deputy Director General (DCA), tel. +358 295 350 658, Marja Liivala, Director General (Ukraine, Russia), tel. +358 295 351 727, Sofie From-Emmesberger, Director General (Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel), tel. +358 295 350 802, Ministry for Foreign Affairs