Ministry for Foreign Affairs at Europe Forum Turku – changed security situation in Europe as topic

On 24–26 August 2022, Europe Forum Turku will gather Finnish opinion-makers and citizens to discuss Finland’s role in Europe. The Ministers and public officials of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will contribute as speakers to many of the Forum events. In addition, Europe Information of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will have a stand in the Hansatori Shopping Centre on Friday 26 August.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will be contributing to several discussions in Turku. On Thursday 25 August at 15.00, he will be talking about the effects of the war in Ukraine and the EU’s global role in a discussion organised by Fingo in the Turku City Theatre Foyer. On Friday 26 August at 12.00, he will be discussing the future of Finland’s policy on Russia in an event organised by the Paasikivi Society in Turku.

“In the past year, we have seen major changes in the European foreign and security policy environment. Right now, we need to discuss and reflect on the changed security situation in Europe. We have an excellent opportunity to do that at Europe Forum Turku,” says Minister Haavisto.

On Friday at 13.00-16.00, a seminar on foreign and security policy, titled ‘Fundamentals of Finland’s Security in Change’ will take place in the Hotel Radisson Blu Marina Palace. Minister for Foreign Affairs Haavisto will give a keynote address and join in the panel discussion together with Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Action Service. The seminar is organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Finnish Society of Military Sciences, the Arctic Society of Finland, the Geopolitical Society in Finland and the Atlantic Council of Finland.

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari will participate in an event titled ‘Is the world economy divided into blocks? – Production chains, efficacy and growth’. The event is organised by the Bank of Finland in the Turku City Theatre Foyer on Friday 26 August at 13.15.

“The EU must become stronger to hold its own in global competition. That is the best way to guarantee us security and prosperity in the long term. Europe Forum Turku is a great setting for discussing Finland’s current and future role in Europe and in the European Union,” says Minister Skinnari.

All Europe Forum Turku events can be followed live on the virtual event platform(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).

In addition, Europe Information of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will give information and materials on EU affairs at its stand in the Hansatori Shopping Centre on Friday 26 August from 13.00 to 17.00.

Europe Forum Turku offers an open platform for social debate, focusing on Finland’s present and future role in Europe and in the European Union. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the association Turku Europe Forum have agreed on a partnership where the Foreign Ministry will support this annual event in 2021–2023. The common goal for the partners is to promote diverse, interesting and high-quality discussions on EU affairs.

Follow the discussions on Twitter using hashtags #eurooppafoorumi or #europeforum.

Programme of Europe Forum Turku(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Media accreditation(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)