Current affairs

On 29 September 2022, the Finnish Government issued a resolution to significantly restrict the entry of Russian tourists into Finland. The entry restrictions will enter into force on 30 September 2022 at 00.00, and they will remain in force until further notice.

The Embassy of Finland in Beijing is seeking qualified applicant for the position of a locally hired Consular Services Assistant to the Consular and Immigration Team of the Embassy starting on 1st November 2022 or as agreed.

The high-level meetings of the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 77) will start in New York on Monday 19 September. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto and Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will attend ministerial events in New York and have bilateral meetings with their counterparts and with representatives of the UN. Minister Skinnari also has Team Finland programme.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will hold its 51th regular session from 12 September to 7 October. This is the third session during Finland’s three-year membership in the Human Rights Council. Finland will continue its long-standing commitment to the promotion of universal human rights.

In the supplementary budget in July, the Government allocated additional funds to Ukraine amounting to EUR 70 million. Half of these funds has now been granted to improving food security and reproductive health services, ensuring the payment of teachers’ salaries, and to providing accommodation in Ukraine for those who have lost their homes.

On Friday 8 July, the President of the Republic appointed Anu Vuori-Kiikeri to serve as Head of Mission at Finland’s Consulate General in Shanghai.

China has reported the highest number of Covid-19 infections in spring 2022 since the beginning of the pandemic, including the initial outbreak in Wuhan in the spring 2020. The majority of infections have been reported in Shanghai which was placed under lockdown for April and May. Shanghai Government announced the ending of the Shanghai lockdown on 1.6., and most of the city has returned almost to normal. The mass testing will continue until further notice in Beijing.

The NATO member countries signed the Accession Protocols concerning Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 5 February, making Finland and Sweden invitees of the Alliance. The Accession Protocols must next be ratified in each member country for Finland and Sweden to become members.

Restrictions on entry at Finland’s external borders imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be lifted on 1 July 2022. Third-country travellers arriving in Finland will no longer be required to hold vaccination or COVID-19 test certificates, and COVID-19 tests will not be carried out at border crossing points.