Foreign Ministry's press releases

EU foreign affairs ministers will meet at the Informal Meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers (Gymnich) in Prague in the Czech Republic on 30–31 August. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will represent Finland at the meeting. The foreign ministers will discuss the EU’s relations with Africa and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They will meet the foreign ministers of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia.

In the Trilateral Memorandum signed in Madrid in June 2022, Türkiye, Finland and Sweden agreed on establishing a Permanent Joint Mechanism to follow up on the implementation of the Memorandum and to enhance cooperation on common security.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will continue to expand the network of Finnish missions abroad. On 26 August, the President of the Republic approved an amendment to the Decree on the Locations of Finland's Diplomatic Missions and the Provision of Consular Services in the Foreign Service. As a result, Finland will open an Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, and a Consulate General in Mumbai, India, on 1 September 2022.

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.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is limiting the number of visa application appointments available in Russia each day to half of normal. On 16 August 2022, the Government discussed the restriction of tourism from Russia and adopted a policy on the matter.

Heads of Finland’s missions abroad and foreign policy leaders will meet again in Helsinki on 22–24 August. The meeting will take place against the background of Finland’s historic decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will meet Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu in Helsinki on 17 August.

On 21 July 2022, the European Union imposed new sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The new sanctions include a ban on imports of Russian gold. The new sanctions extend and specify previously imposed sanctions and include new provisions on their implementation.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto visited The Hague on Wednesday and will next travel to Montana in the United States. On Monday, he will attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels.

On 8 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto appointed Member of Parliament Suldaan Said Ahmed as his Special Representative on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa. In his work as Foreign Minister’s Special Representative, Said Ahmed will focus on supporting peace processes.