Current affairs

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, Finland suspended the reception of ordinary visa and residence permit applications starting on 19 March 2020. The reception of ordinary visa applications continues to be suspended but activities relating to residence permit applications were gradually resumed in the missions on 16 June 2020.

Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, Finland, in line with the rest of the Schengen countries, has suspended the reception of normal visa applications in Finland’s missions with immediate effect from 19 March until further notice.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will phase in a new visa system during February and March 2020. After its introduction, visa applications can be processed efficiently, fast and reliably.

Simon Coveney, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Deputy Prime Minister (Tánaiste), will visit Finland and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini in Helsinki on Tuesday 4 September 2018.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will visit Ireland on 3–5 July and hold bilateral discussions with Ireland’s new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney on Monday 3 July.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs annual rotation of Heads of Mission has been completed. Most of the 24 new Heads of Mission took up their positions on 1 September.

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen and Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Alexander Stubb host an informal meeting, Lapland Retreat 2013, on 22–24 March in Saariselkä, Lapland. Informal discussions focus on the future challenges of Europe.