Current affairs
4.2.2019
14.9.2018
8.9.2014
Finland has a strong role in the dismantling of Syrian chemical weapons programme
The Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Verifin), one of four laboratories chosen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), analysed the material collected in Syria by the UN investigation mission for the use of chemical weapons.
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5.4.2011
Where are you heading, the Arab world?
A thriving democracy or an old oligarchy with new leaders? No one can know what will be the final outcome of the popular uprisings in the Arab countries. This was the opinion shared by the participants in the open discussion organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs at the House of the Estates on Monday, 4 April. In the event, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb and Finnish ambassadors expressed their views of the happenings in the Arab World.
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10.11.2006
Khiam report finalised
The national report on the Israeli air strike in Lebanon that claimed the life of a Finnish UN observer has been completed. The report was submitted to Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen on Friday 10 November at the Government Palace. Among those present were the Khiam expert group headed by Irma Ertman, Director General of the Legal Department at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
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25.8.2006
EU foreign ministers commit increased numbers of troops to Lebanon
The EU foreign ministers, meeting with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Brussels on Friday, 25 August, gave their full support to the swift implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1701 and committed to forming the backbone of the enlarged UNIFIL operation in Lebanon, providing half of the expanded force.
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24.8.2006
Foreign Minister Tuomioja envisaged troops in Lebanon in a week
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said on Thursday on a visit to Germany that the EU hoped to see initial UN peacekeeping reinforcements arrive in the Middle East within a week. The full force is not expected to reach Lebanon earlier than in a month or two. Foreign Minister Tuomioja visited Berlin on 24 August and met with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
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18.8.2006
Finland preparing to send peacekeeping forces to Lebanon
Finland is making provision for sending a reinforced company, meaning at most 200-250 troops, to take part in the crisis management operation in Lebanon. The operation is, however, only in the stages of preparation. A separate decision on participation will be taken later, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said after a meeting with the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy and the President of the Republic on Friday.
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18.8.2006
Possibility for the EU to play a key role in the Middle Eastern conflict
“Finding a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in the Middle East and the reconstruction soon to begin are a test of the European Union’s external policy. The EU has the possibility to play a key role, because the EU is the only international actor that has credibility in the eyes of all parties to the conflict,” said Paula Lehtomäki, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, who just returned from a visit to the region.
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1.8.2006
EU calls for immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon
The EU foreign ministers called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Lebanon to be followed by a sustainable ceasefire after meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, 1 August. The conclusions reached by the ministers were unanimous, emphasised Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja in a press conference. The extraordinary meeting of the general affairs and external relations council was convened by EU pesident Finland to assess the situation in Lebanon and to discuss further action.
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