Foreign Ministry's press releases

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will organize a cyber dialogue between the Nordic and Baltic countries and the U.S. in Helsinki on 23–24 September 2015. A high-level meeting of senior officials will discuss topical issues relating to the cyber space: cyber security, international law and standards in the cyber domain, and public and private sector partnerships.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini and Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lenita Toivakka will participate in the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Marina Kaljurand will visit Finland on 23–24 September 2015 and meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini. The topics of the Ministers' bilateral discussions will include, among other things, the bilateral relations between Finland and Estonia, cooperation in cyber security, developments in the security of the Baltic Sea region, and topical international issues.

Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Norwegian Thorbjørn Jagland will visit Finland on 17 September and meet with Foreign Minister Timo Soini. They will discuss the current situation and crises in Europe as well as central human rights issues in Europe. Secretary General Jagland will also meet the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö, Speaker of Parliament Maria Lohela and the Finnish delegation to the Council of Europe.

On Monday 14 September, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will attend the meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels. At the meeting, the Ministers will discuss the letter of intent outlining the Commission's 2016 work programme. The Ministers will also prepare the October European Council and discuss the programme of the Luxembourg Presidency.

On Tuesday 8 September, the President of the Republic and the Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy discussed the situation in Ukraine. Even though hostilities in Eastern Ukraine have eased off in recent days, reaching a permanent ceasefire is integral for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Russia must shoulder its responsibilities in stabilising the situation in Ukraine and support the stop to all violence in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

Former President of Finland, Ms. Tarja Halonen will be a key-note speaker in two high-level conferences organized by two EU projects on 8th of September 2015 in Pristina. These projects are led by Finnish experts and they work for the development of forensic medicine services and for the improvement of the educational system in Kosovo. During her visit hosted by the Embassy of Finland in Pristina, President Tarja Halonen will also meet important partners of Finland and political leaders of Kosov

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will meet the Foreign Minister of Norway Børge Brenden in Oslo on Monday 7 September. The topics of the Ministers' bilateral discussions will include, among other things, the bilateral relations between Finland and Norway, Nordic cooperation and Arctic issues, the Nordic foreign and security policy cooperation as well as topical international issues.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini will participate in the informal meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Gymnich) in Luxembourg on 4–5 September. The two-day meeting will focus on the Middle East Peace Process, the EU’s Eastern neighbours and Russia, Iran and migration.

Finnish development cooperation is facing the steepest cuts in its history. In comparison with other sectors, they are also proportionally the most substantial ones. The cuts in grant aid by the Finnish Government will total EUR 330 million. Furthermore, the revenue from emissions trading, which amounted to EUR 69 million last year, will no longer be channelled to development cooperation.