Prime Minister Orpo: Finland promotes two-state solution, civilians must get the aid they need

“The most important thing for Finland is that aid must reach the people in Gaza. This is a harrowing situation. The hostages must be released and the war brought to an end,” Prime Minister Petteri Orpo emphasised when answering questions from the media on Friday 1 August.

The Prime Minister noted that the recognition of the Palestinian state is a question that divides Finnish people and government parties. And also countries that have said they are prepared to recognise the Palestinian state. “These countries, too, have various conditions and views on when in the course of the process recognition would be feasible.”  

Orpo emphasised that Finland has been committed to the two-state solution for decades. “It is also this Government’s policy approach, and we are all committed to it.”

“We are working towards a two-state solution and towards the conditions for recognition to be met. Work is also ongoing on the EU front. The European Union is a strong player in this context. We are ready to discuss measures on the EU-Israel Association Agreement. One example of this is a partial suspension of Israel's association to Horizon Europe, as proposed by the Commission this week,” Orpo said.

The aim of a UN Conference in late September is to give a new impetus to the steps towards a two-state solution. “The Government will carry out thorough work by then. The situation in the Middle East will be discussed both in Government and in the next meeting with the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy.” 

Inquiries: Veera Svahn, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, tel. +358 295 160 745