Matti Lassila is the new Ambassador of Finland to Italy
Matti Lassila has started as the new Ambassador of Finland to Italy in September, 2023. The Ambassador-Designate Lassila presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella on September 22nd, 2023.
The Embassy in Rome is the tenth Finnish delegation where Lassila works – his long career at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has included positions in Marseille, Dublin, Tehran, Geneva, Prague, Brussels, Abu Dhabi, Beirut and most recently in Baghdad.
"I have experience of both bilateral representations, similar to the Embassy of Finland in Rome, and multilateral representations, such as the Finnish Permanent Mission in Geneva and the Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU in Brussels. I am very happy to have arrived here in Rome for this position. During my career I have dealt with many different topics and always found something new and interesting to learn - now I am looking forward to deepening the relations between Finland and Italy”, Lassila says.
Lassila knows Italy since childhood
Lassila's first connection with Italy occurred at a young age, when his father worked for the Finnish Embassy in Rome from 1969 to 1972. Back then, Lassila attended an English school but at the same time he also learned Italian.
“Already then I had begun to appreciate the Italian people and culture and I still know some Italian, even though now I will have to update my skills. Of course, Italy has also changed in 50 years,” Lassila says.
Diplomats of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs typically have expertise in many different topics. However, during his career, Mattila has specialized especially in international trade and commercial policy while working in Geneva and Brussels, as well as in the history and political situation of the Middle East, thanks to his vast experience in that region.
Looking forward to promoting trade relations and getting to know the whole country
Lassila is looking forward to continuing to strengthen the relations between Finland and Italy, based on the great work already done by his predecessors.
"Finland and Italy have traditionally had good relations. We already have a lot of trade and cultural exchange. Of course, it would be great if we could strengthen Finnish exports to Italy, as well as cooperation between Finnish and Italian companies. We also have two experts on international trade at the Embassy fostering this important work. In addition, I am looking forward to getting to know Italy's current domestic politics and Italy as a EU country."
The Finnish Embassy to Italy is located in Rome, but Lassila plans to get to know the whole country.
"Italy interests me from various points of view: as a society, as a state and historically. I am looking forward to getting to know different regions of the country and I plan to travel around Italy meeting our honorary consuls, which Finland has in ten cities across Italy, as well as in San Marino and in Malta."