The reform of the Foreign Service of Finland took a step forward on 1 August, when the reorganisation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the updated rules of procedure took effect. The purpose of the organisational reform is to lay a suitable foundation for the Ministry’s work in the current international situation and in terms of Finland’s foreign policy change. At the same time, cooperation across organisational boundaries has become even more important.

The European Union responds to the deterioration of the internal situation in Belarus by imposing new sanctions against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations or for undermining democracy or the rule of law. The EU Member States approved the additional sanctions on 26 July 2024.