Foreign Ministry's press releases

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä participated in the fourth International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in London on 4 February together with around 40 other Heads of State or Government. The Prime Minister also had several bilateral meetings and an informal meeting with the Nordic Prime Ministers.

Finland increases its support to the least developed countries (LDCs) and fragile states like Somalia and commits more resources to the sending, transit and receiving countries of forced migration.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will participate in an informal meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Gymnich) in Amsterdam on 5-6 February. At this meeting, the ministers will discuss the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, Iran and migration.

Prime Minister Sipilä will participate in the Supporting Syria and the Region Conference in London on 4 February together with over 30 other Heads of State or Government. The Conference is being hosted by the Heads of Government of the UK, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, and the UN Secretary General.

Finland is an active player in the Arctic cooperation. Global warming highlights the importance of safeguarding the fragile environment and people's living conditions in the region. In addition, the Arctic region offers economic opportunities, emphasized Foreign Minister Timo Soini, in his address at an event organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington on Monday 1 February 2016.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka will participate in informal EU meetings in Amsterdam on 1–2 February. The meetings will begin in the configuration of ministers of develoment, followed by a meeting of ministers of trade. In addition, the ministers for foreign trade and development will have a lunch meeting, during which they will discuss the sustainability of global value chains and how these can be strengthened through the EU's trade and development policies.

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä met Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in St Petersburg on 29 January. The meeting of the premiers focussed on topical bilateral relations, including matters related to trade and commerce and the economy. The situation in the Ukraine, the relations between the EU and Russia and the international situation in broader terms were also discussed during the meeting.

The first meeting of the Ministers for Nordic Cooperation during Finland's Presidency of Nordic inter-governmental cooperation will be held at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia in Espoo on 3 February 2016. Minister of Transport and Communications Anne Berner serves as Finland's Minister for Nordic Cooperation.

In accordance with the Government Programme, the effects of Finland's possible NATO membership will be assessed in connection with the preparation of a Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will lead the preparation of the Report.