Prime Minister Sipilä condemns the terrorist attacks in Paris

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä has expressed his deep shock following the terrorist attacks in Paris last night.

"The Government of Finland strongly condemns the terrorist attacks that took place in France. They were also an attack against our democratic and open societies. Even after such attacks, we must not give way to fear and intolerance," says Prime Minister Sipilä.

In his tweet last night, Sipilä also said: "Our thoughts are in France."

Prime Minister Sipilä has expressed his condolences on behalf of the Finnish Government to the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls.

The government party leaders, the Minister of the Interior, and the State Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office held a telephone conference this morning and will do so again before noon. The Finnish Government is prepared to convene in the afternoon. 

The Finnish Police has increased its preparedness following the terrorist attacks in Paris. Also the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has closely followed the unfolding of the events during the night.