Current affairs
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11.7.2024
Report on International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation submitted to Parliament
The Government approved the proposal for the Report on International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation on 11 July 2024. The report complements the Report on Foreign and Security Policy with more detailed trade and development policy measures.
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4.7.2024
Foreign Ministry selects partner for reception of visa and residence permit applications
Based on predetermined criteria, the contract was awarded to VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd, which is the current provider of the outsourced application services to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
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28.6.2024
Elina Björklund to prepare reform of Team Finland network of business services abroad
On 27 June 2024, Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio appointed Elina Björklund (M.Sc., Economics), Chairperson of the Board of Reima Group, to serve as the rapporteur preparing the reform of the Team Finland network of business services abroad to integrate the foreign functions of Business Finland with the Foreign Service.
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28.6.2024
Startups4Peace application period for 2024 is now open
Startups4Peace 2024 is here! Are you an entrepreneur ready to make a mark? Don’t miss this game-changing opportunity! Unleash your entrepreneurial potential with Startups4Peace (Su4P), co-funded by the Embassy of Finland and the European Union.
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24.6.2024
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, Western Balkans, Georgia, and Great Lakes region of Africa
EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 24 June. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
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20.6.2024
Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy submitted to Parliament
The Government has approved the proposal for the Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy. The report assesses Finland’s foreign and security policy environment and defines Finland’s objectives and priorities for the next few years.
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14.6.2024
Changes to management structure and foreign functions of Team Finland network
The management structure of the Team Finland network in Finland will be renewed and the foreign activities of Business Finland will be integrated into the Foreign Service. The changes will proceed in stages and the implementation will take place in cooperation with the business community.
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7.6.2024
In European elections, 15,221 voters cast their vote at advance polling stations abroad
A total of 15,071 persons visited the Finnish diplomatic and consular missions abroad to vote in advance in the elections to the European Parliament. Altogether 150 crew members voted on board Finnish vessels. In the 2019 European elections, 16,547 persons voted abroad at the Finnish missions and on board vessels.
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22.5.2024
Schengen visa fees to increase in June
The European Commission decided on 22 May 2024 to increase Schengen visa fees as of 11 June 2024. The increase will apply worldwide.
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12.4.2024
Ambassador and non-resident Ambassador appointments
At the presidential session on 12 April, the President of the Republic appointed eight new Ambassadors and three new non-resident Ambassadors.