President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discuss underwater infrastructure, current situations in Ukraine and Syria and Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement

In their meeting on Friday 17 November, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the surveillance of underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. It is important to intensify cooperation with our partner countries in order to protect maritime infrastructure effectively.

The President and the Ministerial Committee discussed possible further measures against the shadow fleet and other hostile influence in Finland’s neighbourhood. In addition to increasing surveillance in the Baltic Sea, they also discussed the expansion of sanctions and ways to influence international regulation and flag states, as well as measures related to communications.

The President and the Ministerial Committee discussed the current situations in Ukraine and Syria. Syria’s development must take into account the rights of all Syrians while respecting international law. The EU’s support for Syria plays a critical role in the new situation.

The President and the Ministerial Committee also discussed the agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. If approved, the agreement will be welcome. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have played a crucial role in achieving it. The commitment of all parties to the agreement and its implementation is essential.

The agreement is an important first step towards a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Inquiries: Petri Hakkarainen, Director General, tel. +358 295 351 130, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Matti Sarasmaa, Director General, tel. +358 295 421 101, Ministry of the Interior and Minna Kivimäki, Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 295 342 389, Ministry of Transport and Communications

The email addresses of the Finnish Government are in the format [email protected]