The status of the Palestinian Delegation in Finland is raised

Press release 250/2011
3 October 2011

Finland has decided to raise the status of the Palestine General Delegation located in Finland. Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja informed his Palestinian colleague Riyad al-Malki of the decision in a letter dated 30 September 2011.

The decision communicates support for the Palestinian state-building efforts, which the Palestinians have carried out for the past two years with determination and in ways appreciated by the international community. The following measures are taken to raise the status of the Delegation closer to that of representations of sovereign states:

The name is changed from “Palestine General Delegation” to “Palestine Mission” and the Head of the Mission is granted the right to use the title of Ambassador. From now on, the Head of the Palestine Mission will present a letter of appointment to the President of the Republic upon arriving in Finland.

The decision to implement these measures was made by the previous Government in spring 2011. Many European countries have taken similar actions to raise the status of Palestinian representations in recent years.

Additional information: Helena Tuuri, Head of the Unit for the Middle East and North Africa, tel. +358 9 1605 6538, and Veikko Kiljunen, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5332