Current affairs
-
11.6.2025
Nordic Countries Call for Better Geographical Balance in EU Institutions
Nordic EU member states are pushing for fairer national representation within the European Union’s institutions, voicing concerns over a growing imbalance in staff composition.
-
9.6.2025
EU publishes communication on digital foreign policy advocated by Finland
Finland welcomes the EU international digital strategy, which was published as a joint communication of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 5 June 2025.
-
22.5.2025
EU-African Union ministerial meeting
EU and the African Union foreign ministers met in Brussels on 21 May to review progress since the 2022 Summit and strengthen cooperation. The meeting marked the 25th anniversary of the EU-AU partnership, paving the way for the 7th AU-EU Summit later this year.
-
21.5.2025
Foreign Affairs Council adopted the 17th sanctions package and supported the review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement
On 20 May the Foreign Affairs Council adopted the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, and discussed EU's support to Ukraine. The Council decided to lift all economic sanctions on Syria and discussed the situation in Gaza. Finland among the strong majority of member states supported the review of Article 2 of the EU-Israel association agreement.
-
20.5.2025
EU’s 17th sanctions package cracks down on Russia’s shadow fleet
In its 17th sanctions package, the European Union continues to respond to Russia’s ongoing war of aggression in Ukraine, to Russia’s destabilising measures against the EU and third countries and to the deterioration of the domestic human rights situation in the country. A significant number of vessels belonging to the Russia’s shadow fleet were added to the EU sanctions list.
-
19.5.2025
New Team Finland Executive Group aims for stronger and clearer guidance on export promotion
Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio appointed a new Team Finland Executive Group on 16 May 2025.
-
16.5.2025
Baltic Sea NATO allies and EU agree on cooperation to protect critical undersea infrastructure
The Baltic Sea NATO allies and the European Union have agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding to protect critical undersea infrastructure.
-
14.5.2025
Minister Valtonen to attend meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Estonia
Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will attend the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) in Vihula, Estonia, on 15–16 May.
-
11.4.2025
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, situation in the Middle East, the Western Balkans and EU-Africa relations
EU foreign ministers will convene in Luxembourg on 14 April. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.
-
11.4.2025
5,291 votes cast in county elections and 8,310 in municipal elections at advance polling stations abroad
According to preliminary data, a total of 5,291 votes were cast in advance in the 2025 county elections and 8,310 votes in the municipal elections at Finnish missions abroad. In the dual elections, a total of 180 votes were cast on board Finnish vessels. In the 2022 county elections, 2,923 advance votes were cast, and about a hundred crew members cast their vote on board ships. In the 2021 municipal elections, 2,693 advance votes were cast, and over a hundred crew members voted on board ships.