Current affairs

In 2023, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the missions abroad provided consular services to approximately 244,000 customers. The demand for advisory services remained high. Over the course of the year, the Ministry’s 24/7 service was contacted around 8,000 times in total.

EU foreign ministers will convene in Brussels on 22 January. Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

In its meeting on 17 January, the Ministerial Committee on European Union Affairs outlined Finland’s policy priorities for the 2024–2029 EU parliamentary term. The Committee also discussed the Commission’s proposal to establish a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans. In addition, the Ministerial Committee outlined Finland’s positions for the two Council meetings taking place next week.

Together with 14 other Member States, Finland has published views on the development of the EU Single Market in the coming years. The European Commission and EU Member States agree that the Single Market faces increasing expectations, including due to the digital and green transitions.

As of 1 January 2024, Finland will increase travellers' daily financial requirement to EUR 50 per day of stay. Finland will simultaneously introduce a proof of sponsorship and/or accommodation form, which will allow visa applicants to finance their visit using the funds of the inviting party.

The EU’s new restrictive measures against Russia include a ban on the import of diamonds, a tighter oil price cap and a broader scope of prohibitions on imports, exports and transit of goods. A new measure will require Russian-owned companies operating in the EU to provide notification of transfers of funds. Sanctions on individuals will be targeted at persons organising illegal elections in the territories of Ukraine, entities supporting the Russian military, and an EU citizen who has circumvented the sanctions in Finland.

In its plenary session on 14 December 2023, the Finnish Government decided to propose that the President of the Republic authorise Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen, or if he is prevented from doing so, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, to sign a Defence Cooperation Agreement with the United States.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has issued a Decree on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service for 2024.

Finns are once again actively travelling abroad. Over the years, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been reminding travellers of things to take into account when travelling abroad to make sure their trip runs as smoothly as possible.