Foreign Minister Kanerva’s appointments cancelled for the rest of the week

Press release 164/2007
5 September 2007

Foreign Minister Ilkka Kanerva is unable to discharge his official duties for the remainder of this week. Kanerva is being treated in hospital for mild injuries incurred during a motor vehicle accident. The foreign minister sustained chest injuries early Tuesday evening when he fell from an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The accident occurred in Vierumäki, where staff members of the Foreign Minister’s Office had gone for a day of planning and recreation. After the fall, Kanerva went for treatment to Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, where he is still under observation. As yet it is not known when he will be released from hospital. The length of the foreign minister’s sick leave will be known when he is discharged from hospital, and will be made public in a separate press release .

In place of Foreign Minister Kanerva, State Secretary Teija Tiilikainen will attend the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, the Gymnich meeting, to be held in Portugal on Friday and Saturday.

Additional information: Jori Arvonen, Senior Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 553 6117; and Press Attaché Juha Kirstilä, tel. +358 40 552 8200