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9.9.2021 | The rescue and evacuation operation in Afghanistan was in many ways unique and historic. Finland evacuated more than 400 people from Afghanistan in three weeks. This was possible through cooperation with national and international actors and between different departments of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The relief team at Kabul Airport played a key role, but the input of dozens of people both in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki and in many foreign missions was also required.

3.2.2021 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on draft amendments to the Government Decree on Radio Spectrum Usage and Frequency Allocation Plan (Spectrum Decree) by 24 February 2021. In part, the process is related to the amendments to the Act on Electronic Communication Services.

21.12.2022 | “Even though this year will go down in the history books for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have still been fortunate enough to record some favourable developments,” writes Pekka Haavisto, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in relation to the 2022 year in foreign policy.

3.2.2021 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on draft amendments to the Government Decree on Radio Spectrum Usage and Frequency Allocation Plan (Spectrum Decree) by 24 February 2021. In part, the process is related to the amendments to the Act on Electronic Communication Services.

5.5.2021 | The 2021 municipal elections will be held on Sunday 13 June. In the elections, local councillors and deputy councillors will be elected for the next four-year term. The term of office of the local councils will begin on 1 August 2021 and last until 31 May 2025.

22.8.2022 | "The Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ important role and capacity to function become particularly emphasised in such exceptional times and transition points as those described above. In a time like this, when many of the basic factors of international politics are evolving rapidly, we do not need to question the importance of diplomacy." 

16.6.2021 | Annual report on export of defence materiel 2020 published Ministry of Defence Publication date 16.6.2021 11.27 Type: Press release In 2020, the Ministry of Defence granted a total of 234 licences for permanent exports and transfers of defence mat...

3.5.2023 | On 3 May 2023, a steering group appointed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications to examine the possible establishment of a Finnish space situational awareness centre issued a report recommending that the centre be established. It could be started by 2026.

23.6.2023 | The European Union introduces significant new instruments in its eleventh package of restrictive measures against Russia to prevent circumvention and evasion of sanctions, particularly through third countries. These instruments include several facilities for targeting sanctions against parties that circumvent sanctions and assist in such circumvention. Export bans, bans on transit through Russia and individual sanctions lists are expanded.

15.5.2026 | VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 STATSRÅDET PB 23, 00023 Statsrådet vn.fi/sv Tfn 0295 16001 1(175) Nato-sanasto Natoordlista NATO Glossary 7.5.2026 VALTIONEUVOSTO PL 23, 00023 Valtioneuvosto vn.fi p. 0295 16001 STATSR...

10.10.2022 | Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto was invited by the EU High Representative Joseph Borrell to address the European Union Heads of Mission.

27.2.2022 | On the proposal of the Government, the President of the Republic decided today that Finland will increase its aid to Ukraine and also provide military protective equipment to assist the country.

22.8.2022 | "While Europe stands united in relation to Russia and in condemning military action, we must not ignore or forget Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Yemen and other countries where human rights or the social conditions for living a decent life are under threat. The global need for humanitarian aid is now greater than ever before. No single humanitarian crisis is more important than another. These are always matters of human distress."

12.9.2022 | How do we guide Finland forward in the midst of global uncertainty? Ministries’ futures review provides tools for decision-makers Ministry of Defence Publication date 12.9.2022 12.06 Type: Press release Government Communications Department, Minist...

22.1.2021 | On 22 January, the Government decided to tighten the restrictions on entry into Finland. The new restrictions will enter into force on 27 January and will remain in force until 25 February. The new restrictions aim to reduce cross-border traffic in order to prevent the spread of the new COVID-19 variants. The epidemiological situation in Finland differs considerably from that in other Schengen countries.

12.9.2022 | The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and accelerating climate change have led to a situation in Finland and globally where the future seems rather uncertain. In the midst of uncertainty, decision-making is difficult. Finland will hold parliamentary elections in spring 2023, and the new Government Programme will outline policies for the next few years.

10.10.2023 | Gasgrid Finland informed the authorities on Sunday that a leak causing disruption in gas transmission had been detected in the Balticconnector gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia in the early hours of 8 October. The breach is located in Finland’s economic zone. Led by Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, the authorities in Finland have launched an investigation into the matter. In terms of security of supply, the situation remains stable.

22.8.2022 | On Monday 22 August, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed restrictions on tourism from Russia to Finland.

27.2.2022 | Finland sends additional aid to Ukraine Ministry of Defence Ministry of Defence Publication date 27.2.2022 16.47 Type: Press release Government Communications Department, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior ...

16.12.2021 | Ministry of Defence decided on annual work orders under partnership agreements Ministry of Defence Publication date 16.12.2021 12.45 Type: Press release The Ministry of Defence has authorised the Defence Forces to procure life cycle support servic...

9.2.2023 | Finland has around 50,500 civil defence shelters with space for about 4.8 million people. Finland has a sufficient number of places in shelters. Civil defence shelters are located in large cities in particular. The highest number of places in civil defence shelters in relation to the population can be found in the Greater Helsinki area and Pirkanmaa. This is evident in the preliminary data of the Ministry of the Interior’s report.

1.11.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will meet Sweden’s new Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin on 1 November in Helsinki. The ministers will discuss cooperation between the two countries in the field of civil preparedness.

15.7.2021 | On 15 July, the President of the Republic approved the Act on Environmental and Energy Efficiency Requirements for Vehicle and Transport Service Procurements. The Act will place obligations on municipalities and the State to ensure a certain share of zero- and low-emission vehicles in public procurement processes. The Act will enter into force on 2 August 2021. 

15.7.2021 | On 15 July, the President of the Republic approved the Act on Environmental and Energy Efficiency Requirements for Vehicle and Transport Service Procurements. The Act will place obligations on municipalities and the State to ensure a certain share of zero- and low-emission vehicles in public procurement processes. The Act will enter into force on 2 August 2021. 

28.8.2023 | Finland's civil defence shelters are largely in good repair, but there is still some need for maintenance and repairs. A new Ministry of the Interior study shows that more than 90 per cent of civil defence shelters would provide people with good protection against the effects of conventional weapons. Shelter equipment is in most need of repair. Based on the report, the Ministry of the Interior has drawn up four recommendations for improving the network of civil defence shelters.

3.2.2023 | Somalia’s first Minister of Environment and Climate Change Khadija Mohamed Almakhzoumi visited Finland this week on the invitation of Minister Maria Ohisalo.

26.8.2022 | In the Trilateral Memorandum signed in Madrid in June 2022, Türkiye, Finland and Sweden agreed on establishing a Permanent Joint Mechanism to follow up on the implementation of the Memorandum and to enhance cooperation on common security.

10.3.2023 | Ukraine has requested support from Finland, particularly to meet the immediate and longer-term needs related to education, the environment and radiation safety. Finland will provide Ukraine with EUR 29 million in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation support.

2.12.2022 | On 2 December 2022, ministers responsible for civil preparedness or their deputies from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Finland met in Reykjavik in the framework of so-called Haga cooperation. State Secretary Akseli Koskela from the Ministry of the Interior represented Finland at the meeting.

10.11.2022 | Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Prime Minister Sanna Marin met in Helsinki on Thursday 10 November. Their discussions focused on supporting Ukraine, Finland’s future NATO membership, the energy crisis and education policy.

29.1.2021 | Request for Best and Final Offer sent for HX Fighter Programme Ministry of Defence Publication date 29.1.2021 14.15 Type: Press release The Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command sent the Request for Best and Final Offer for the HX Fighter Progr...

6.10.2022 | Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen met the Baltic interior ministers Lauri Läänemetsi (Estonia), Kristaps Eklons (Latvia) and Agnė Bilotaitė (Lithuania) and Undersecretary of State Bartosz Grodecki in Helsinki on 5–6 October. The meeting focused on civil and emergency preparedness, and on critical infrastructure and its protection.

14.2.2023 | The Ministry of the Interior has published an updated national risk assessment. The previous risk assessment was published in 2018, after which several changes have taken place in Finland’s operating environment. The national risk assessment anticipates sudden incidents targeted at Finland that have an impact on the vital functions of society and require the authorities to adopt exceptional measures or even request help from other countries. 

19.5.2022 | This spring, people’s attitudes in Finland towards immigration, international assistance and EU cooperation have become more positive. The use of media has also increased significantly. At the moment, there appears to be a greater spirit of community among people, people seek more information and they appear to trust the authorities more than last year.

25.3.2021 | The Government has submitted a proposal that would place temporary restrictions on freedom of movement and close contacts and introduce a mask mandate in the areas worst affected by COVID-19. The main objective is to reduce the number of encounters and close contacts between people in areas where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and uncontrollably. The goal is to protect people from the dangerous communicable disease and to safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system.

25.3.2021 | The Government has submitted a proposal that would place temporary restrictions on freedom of movement and close contacts and introduce a mask mandate in the areas worst affected by COVID-19. The main objective is to reduce the number of encounters and close contacts between people in areas where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and uncontrollably. The goal is to protect people from the dangerous communicable disease and to safeguard the capacity of the healthcare system.

2.12.2022 | Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin spoke at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, on 2 December 2022. Check against delivery.

2.12.2022 | Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin spoke at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, on 2 December 2022. Check against delivery.

12.12.2022 | The EU General Affairs Council (GAC) will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 13 December. Topics on the agenda will include preparations for the December European Council, transparency and targeting of political advertising, the Commission’s enlargement package and the annual rule of law dialogue. Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Tytti Tuppurainen will represent Finland at the meeting.

26.3.2021 | Prime Minister’s presentation speech at the referral debate in Parliament on the government proposal to Parliament for an act on the temporary restriction of freedom of movement and close contacts. Changes possible during the speech.