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16.12.2022 | A session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held in London on 12-16 December 2022 discussed an update to the preliminary greenhouse gas strategy of the IMO, together with several other maritime climate and environmental issues. While the outcome of the session was minimal with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, the states neverthel...

16.12.2022 | A session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held in London on 12-16 December 2022 discussed an update to the preliminary greenhouse gas strategy of the IMO, together with several other maritime climate and environmental issues. While the outcome of the session was minimal with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, the states neverthel...

15.12.2022 | On 15 December 2022, the Government decided that to ease the pressure on the reception systems in the EU Member States in the Mediterranean, Finland will take up to 175 asylum seekers relocated from the region. The asylum seekers can be relocated to Finland if they are likely to be in need of international protection. Priority will be given to vulnerable people, such as unaccompanied minors, single-parent families, persons with medical conditions and persons with disabilities.

12.9.2025 | Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen's keynote speech at Kouvola Security Conference on 12 September 2025 Publication date 12.9.2025 10.25 Type: Speech Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for the warm welcome. It is great to be back in Kouvola, and to s...

4.12.2024 | In its meeting on Wednesday 4 December, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs agreed on Finland’s positions on the deliberations for the EU pharmaceutical package. The Ministerial Committee on also outlined Finland’s positions for next week’s council meetings.

22.2.2020 | To facilitate the humanitarian situation of asylum seekers in the EU Member States of the Mediterranean region, government groups have agreed to assist vulnerable asylum seekers.

17.7.2019 | Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU and ministers from several EU Member States and the Schengen associated countries alongside the European Commission have discussed the need to set up a more predictable and efficient temporary solidarity mechanism to ensure the swift and dignified disembarkation of migrants rescued at sea.

15.7.2019 | Finland’s Presidency of the EU Council has invited all the home affairs ministers of the EU and the Schengen associated countries and Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to discuss the Mediterranean situation over an informal dinner on 17 July, ahead of the informal ministerial meeting on justice and home affairs.

2.4.2020 | On 2 April, the Government adopted an amendment to the national implementation programme of the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). The amendment concerns how the compensation paid by the European Commission to Finland for the reception of quota refugees is to be distributed. A targeted AMIF application round opens on 3 April.

7.7.2023 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed on revisions to the IMO greenhouse gas strategy. The Committee met in London, 3–7 July 2023.

17.11.2022 | On 17 November 2022, the Government decided that Finland will take ten asylum seekers rescued by the Ocean Viking vessel that docked in France. Priority will be given to vulnerable asylum seekers.

4.8.2023 | Summary: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. As a result of the war, around four million Ukrainians have applied for temporary protection in the Member States of the European Union. Other migration to the EU is also growing. Both the number of asylum applications submitted in the EU and irregular migration to the EU are on the rise. At the moment, migration pressure is concentrated on the Central Mediterranean route from Tunisia and Libya to Italy.

24.11.2022 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on Friday 25 November for an extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The ministers will discuss migration to the EU, taking stock of the urgent challenges and joint way forward. Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

14.6.2022 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) met on 6-10 June 2022. At the remote meeting, guidelines were adopted to specify the short-term emissions reduction measure negotiated already in June 2021. The measure aims at improving the energy efficiency of existing ships and at limiting their carbon intensity.

14.6.2022 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) met on 6-10 June 2022. At the remote meeting, guidelines were adopted to specify the short-term emissions reduction measure negotiated already in June 2021. The measure aims at improving the energy efficiency of existing ships and at limiting their carbon intensity.

17.11.2022 | The proposed new act would set a maximum duration of four years for the permit-granting procedures related to large-scale projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The classification process for highways would also be simplified. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 17 November 2021.

17.11.2022 | The proposed new act would set a maximum duration of four years for the permit-granting procedures related to large-scale projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The classification process for highways would also be simplified. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 17 November 2021.

2.2.2023 | On 2 February 2023, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic adopt the Act on permit-granting procedures and other administrative procedures for certain projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) that would implement the so-called Smart TEN-T Directive. In addition, the Government proposed amendments to be adopted on the Act on the Transport System and Highways as w...

19.7.2023 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Logroño in Spain on 20 July for an informal meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The agenda will include the fight against organised crime, the situation in Ukraine and migration. Finland will be represented by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

2.2.2023 | On 2 February 2023, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic adopt the Act on permit-granting procedures and other administrative procedures for certain projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) that would implement the so-called Smart TEN-T Directive. In addition, the Government proposed amendments to be adopted on the Act on the Transport System and Highways as w...