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21.7.2022 | On 21 July 2022, the European Union imposed new sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The new sanctions include a ban on imports of Russian gold. The new sanctions extend and specify previously imposed sanctions and include new provisions on their implementation.

13.10.2021 | The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed a working group to assess the need to amend the Act on the Making of Decisions Concerning the Provision of and Request for International Assistance (418/2017). The working group will prepare the necessary legislative amendments based on the lessons learned from the evacuation operation in Afghanistan.

27.8.2021 | Finland ended its relief efforts in Kabul as planned on Thursday 26 August. Both the Foreign Ministry’s relief team and the Defence Forces’ unit tasked with safeguarding the efforts have now left Afghanistan. We will continue to provide consular assistance through other means to the extent possible.

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.

8.4.2021 | On 8 April 2021, the Finnish Government issued a decree amending the radio spectrum usage and frequency allocation plan (Spectrum Decree). The decree will enter into force on 9 April 2021.

27.9.2021 | The Government proposes EUR 1.3 billion in appropriations for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The promotion of human rights, the rule of law, democracy, peace, freedom, tolerance and equality in all international activities forms the central element of the value base on which Finland’s foreign and security policy rests. The budget proposal lays special emphasis on measures that strengthen the netw...

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 ...

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.

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.

13.8.2021 | The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health proposes appropriations of about EUR 16.5 billion for the Ministry and its administrative branch for 2022. This is about EUR 1.3 billion less than in the 2021 Budget. The decrease is mainly due to one-off payments to compensate for the costs caused by COVID-19 to the healthcare and welfare service system. The biggest increases arise from the dismantling of the backlog in treatment and services and the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

27.9.2021 | The Government proposes appropriations of about EUR 15.9 billion for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and its administrative branch for 2022. This is about EUR 1.9 billion less than in the 2021 Budget. The decrease is mainly due to one-off payments to compensate for the costs caused by COVID-19 to the healthcare and welfare service system.

8.4.2021 | On 8 April 2021, the Finnish Government issued a decree amending the radio spectrum usage and frequency allocation plan (Spectrum Decree). The decree will enter into force on 9 April 2021.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

7.11.2019 | On Thursday, 7 November, the Government appointed Markus Henriksson as Director-General of Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Henriksson will continue in his current position as he has served as Director-General of the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health since 2017.

5.11.2020 | On 5 November 2020, the Government submitted a letter on the European Commission's proposal concerning the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) to Parliament. In the proposed Regulation, four previous SES regulations have been merged into one regulation. In addition, the Commission proposes that the Regulation on establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency be amended by adding provisions on the Performance Review Body of the Single European Sky to it.