Foreign Ministry's press releases

The WTO’s Appellate Body issued its ruling on an import ban dispute concerning pork products between the European Union and Russia on 23 February 2017. The EU won the dispute.

The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) enters into force on 22 February 2017.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will visit Beijing on 26 February–1 March. This is Foreign Minister Soini’s first visit to China. The visit will be hosted by Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi. The programme will include meetings with representatives of the administration and various think tanks.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has granted EUR 370,000 in discretionary government transfers to 36 civil society organisations’ (CSOs) Europe information. The total number of supported projects is 41.

By decision of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Kai Mykkänen, Finland will grant EUR 500,000 to the Finnish Red Cross for humanitarian aid activities in Iraq.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó will visit Finland and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini in Helsinki on 22 February.

The European Committee of Social Rights published a decision on 31 January 2017 stating that the protection against collective dismissals included in the Finnish legislation is in line with the European Social Charter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will be on sick leave for the rest of this week.

A Tax Agreement to avoid double taxation on income between Finland and Turkmenistan will enter into force on Friday, 10 February 2017.

Minister Mykkänen reaffirmed Finland’s strong support for Myanmar’s peace process and the civilian government’s democratic reforms. He also appealed to the Government of Myanmar urging it to do its utmost to prevent further human rights violations in the region of Rakhine.