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.

Emma Virkkunen is responsible for the Foreign Minister’s communications and media relations. Virkkunen transferred to the post of Special Adviser from the Ministry of Defence, where she served as Senior Communications Specialist. She has previously worked as Communications Coordinator at Finland’s Permanent Representation to NATO and as an adviser to a Member of Parliament, among other posts. Virkkunen holds a Master’s degree in Arts from Tampere University.

Matilda af Hällström will continue as Special Adviser and Johanna Lukkarila and Paavo Kotiaho as Diplomatic Advisers to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic Advisers are officials of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.