Prime Minister Sanna Marin will attend the EU-Western Balkans summit in Tirana, the capital of Albania, on Tuesday 6 December. The meeting will discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the Western Balkan countries while also taking into account the impacts of Russia’s war of aggression on the region.

At its plenary session on 1 December 2022, the Government confirmed the national objectives for organising healthcare and social welfare for the years 2023–2026. The objectives are strategic in nature and apply to healthcare and social welfare activities throughout Finland. The objectives form an essential part of the national guidance and direction of healthcare and social welfare, and they support the current needs to reform and further develop services.

On 24 November, Finland sent much needed help for the energy sector in Ukraine. The delivery package comprised components of the electricity grid, such as current transformers, circuit breakers and relays. Earlier this autumn, 28 current transformers were delivered to Ukraine.

Almost half of the respondents to an international country image survey indicated that their perception of Finland improved during the last year. Finland’s NATO membership process has greatly contributed to increasing Finland’s visibility abroad and to improving perceptions of Finland.

On 7 December, Prime Minister Sanna Marin will host an Independence Day celebration for over 560 children at the House of the Estates. Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko, Minister of Justice Anna-Maja Henriksson and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo will also attend the event.