Budget 2006 for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ sector of administration

Press release 281/2005
16 September, 2005


The total sum of appropriations proposed for the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ sector of administration in the Government’s draft budget for the year 2006 is EUR 895.4 million.

The principal objectives for social effectiveness in the administrative sector of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for 2006 are:

- To strengthen Finland’s international position and to improve the international operating conditions for the economy,
- To promote the interests of Finns and Finnish perspectives throughout the world,
- To increase stability, security and cooperation in neighbouring areas,
- To support the enlargement and development of the European Union,
- To ensure international stability, security and well-being, and to develop global governance.

All activities aim at the attainment of these objectives, and the Ministry’s resources are targeted accordingly.

The sum of EUR 179.2 million was proposed for operations expenses. The principal goal for 2006 is to ensure the success of Finland’s Presidency of the EU. A successful Presidency will also augment Finland’s influence within the Union. In 2006, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will target its resources primarily on handling the EU Presidency. To cover its expenses incurred by the EU Presidency, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs has proposed an appropriation of EUR 9.6 million to be made availabe from the EU Presidency item 28.80.26 of the main title of expenditure of the Ministry of Finance. Development of the Ministry’s line of action will continue in accordance with the strategic areas of focus.

The targeting of development cooperation appropriations presented in the draft budget is based on the Government’s Development Policy Programme. The central objective of Finland’s development policy is to help eradicate extreme poverty throughout the world. Implementation of the development policy is grounded in a law-based approach and in the principles of sustainable development. The draft budget proposes a total sum of EUR 670.5 million for the State’s development cooperation expenditure; this corresponds to about 0.42 per cent of the gross national income. A total of EUR 516.1 million is proposed for chapter 30, ‘International Development Cooperation’, under the main class of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Following the increase in appropriations for operations, EUR 3.1 million has been transferred from development cooperation appropriations to operating expenses in order to strengthen the administration of development cooperation.

In line with the budget framework, EUR 23.0 million is proposed for cooperation in neighbouring areas. In accordance with the strategy for cooperation in neighbouring areas adopted by the Government, the objective is to promote regional stability and to support balanced economic and social development in neighbouring areas. The neighbouring area cooperation contributes, for instance, to promoting environmental protection and nuclear safety, to combating organised crime and to preventing the spread of narcotics and communicable diseases. The primary target for the neighbouring area cooperation is Northwest Russia, especially the Republic of Karelia, the Leningrad Region, the Murmansk Region and the City of St. Petersburg. Neighbouring area cooperation is carried out, in particular, in the following fields: the environment; energy; nuclear safety; social welfare and health care; agriculture and forestry; the judicial system; transport and telecommunications; education and civil society.

Finland’s foreign and security policy is developed in accordance with the Government’s Report on Finnish Security and Defence Policy. Foreign and security policy also encompasses crisis management. The outlines of the report have been taken into account in determining the appropriations for peacekeeping operations and civilian crisis management. These items include unallocated appropriations totalling EUR 8.3 million for new projects that may arise or for additional expenditure or continuation of ongoing projects. The appropriations for peacekeeping operations have been dimensioned in accordance with the strength of the peacekeeping forces and their task requirements. The appropriations for civilian crisis management take into account the projects in which Finland is likely to participate, for instance, as part of the expanding tasks of the European Union. It is estimated that about 1,100 people would be serving in peacekeeping and civilian crisis management operations in 2006.

The draft budget proposes EUR 84.9 million for item 24.99.66, ‘Membership fees and financing contributions’. This exceeds the framework set by the Government on 11 March, 2005, by EUR 7.1 million. The difference is explained by the increase in Finland’s contribution to the UN budget, to peacekeeping forces and to the International War Crimes Tribunal.

Further information: Manager of Financial Planning Mikko Patosuo, tel. +358 9 160 55870, development cooperation: Director Sinikka Antila, Unit for General Development Policy and Planning, tel. +358 9 160 56283, and neighbouring area cooperation: Senior Officer Minni Hyrkkänen, tel. +358 9 160 55610