Speech by Foreign Minister Timo Soini on Women, security and democratization, Strasbourg 21 November 2018.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Timo Soini's speech at the Hand over ceremony of the EC presidency Strasbourg, 21 November 2018.

Finland will take over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 21 November 2018.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland met on 8 November to discuss the upcoming Finnish Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The website of the Finnish Presidency was opened on the same day.

Finland’s Presidency of the Council of Europe will start on 21 November 2018. Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland will visit Finland on 8 November.

In mid-November, Finland will begin its term as Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. “The European human rights system is facing a new challenge: artificial intelligence,” says Ambassador Satu Mattila-Budich.

Protocol No. 16 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on a system of advisory opinions entered into force on 1 August 2018.

A basic income is not a cure-all, but for 30–40-somethings with short-term employment contracts, it seems to be a perfect fit.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö wins a second six-year term with 62.7 percent of the total votes, making a second round unnecessary. The result surprises nobody, but every election plays an important role.

The centenary of Finland’s independence culminates on Finland’s Independence Day, 6 December 2017. The celebrations will take place throughout Finland as well as in more than 100 countries on all the continents.