Secretary General of the Council of Europe to visit Finland

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset will meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen on 28 November.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset and Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will discuss topical issues in the Council of Europe. They will focus on accountability matters related to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Finland provides significant support for the Council of Europe's Action Plan for Ukraine.

“Advancing international law, democracy and human rights is at the core of Finland’s foreign and security policy. In the Council of Europe, Finland is working to strengthen these principles. The Council of Europe is also making significant efforts in supporting Ukraine and reinforcing Russia's accountability,” Foreign Minister Valtonen says.

Secretary General Berset will present the New Democratic Pact for Europe, which is under preparation in the Council of Europe, and is interested to hear about Finland's democracy model, among other things.

During his visit, Berset will also meet the President of the Republic Alexander Stubb, Speaker of Parliament Jussi Halla-aho, Minister of Justice Leena Meri, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand and Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

Berset will also attend a discussion event in Parliament on the challenges facing democracy and how to respond to them. The event will be streamed live on the Parliament website on 27 November at 17.30–19.00.