Foreign Ministry's press releases

The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union will meet in Brussels on 15 December. Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will represent Finland at the meeting.

At its plenary session held today, 11 December, the Government nominated three candidates for a judge to be elected to the European Court of Human Rights in respect of Finland for the term beginning on 1 January 2016.

Finland is increasing its support for Ukraine owing to the country’s difficult political, economic and humanitarian situation. Finland’s support to Ukraine in 2014 will total 6.4 million euros. In addition, Finland has dispatched, among others, OSCE observers, border control experts and election observers, as well as anti-corruption and administrative reform experts, to Ukraine.

Development Minister Sirpa Paatero will travel to Brussels on 11 and 12 December for the Foreign Affairs Council and high-level meetings. The topics for discussion are, among others, the European Union’s priorities for sustainable development in the preparation of the post-2015 development goals and support for countries affected by Ebola.

The Government has today submitted a proposal to Parliament on the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child containing provisions on a complaints and investigation procedure.

The Government has today submitted to Parliament a Government proposal on the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Optional Protocol to the Convention, as well as proposals for Acts on bringing into force provisions pertaining to legislation in the sector encompassed by the Convention and the Optional Protocol and for revising the Parliamentary Ombudsman Act.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will take part in the Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to be held in Basel on 4–5 December. The discussions will focus on the situation in Ukraine and its impacts.

Development Minister Sirpa Paatero will participate in the international London Conference on Afghanistan to be held on 4 December.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will attend the international Counter-ISIL Coalition meeting to be held in Brussels on Wednesday, 3 December. The aim of the meeting is to discuss cooperation and to coordinate the efforts of participating countries in opposing ISIL as well as to establish guidelines for future cooperation. The meeting will be chaired by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja will meet the foreign ministers of Denmark, Sweden and Germany in Copenhagen on 1 December.