Foreign Ministry's press releases

On 3 February Secretary of State Pertti Torstila discussed the safety of Finns in the crisis area of Egypt with Maasoum Marzouk, the Egyptian Ambassador to Finland.

There is widespread risk of violence in Egypt, for which reason the Ministry for Foreign Affairs recommends avoiding travel to the country. The Ministry recommends that Finns in the largest urban areas leave the city.

Events in Egypt are highly disturbing. Everyone should now strive to steady the situation quickly so that there would be no further fatalities or injuries. Finland condemns the use of force. We are following the situation closely on behalf of Finns living or travelling in Egypt, says Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb.

The Foreign Affairs Council of the EU will meet in Brussels on 31 January. Recent political developments in Tunisia, Lebanon and Belarus as well as the EU’s measures in those areas are the main topics of discussion. Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb will represent Finland at the meeting.

On Monday 31 January, Prime Minister Mari Kiviniemi will present the Presidency Programme at a Nordic Conference on Sustainable Development in Turku.

The European Court of Human Rights has today handed down its judgment in a case concerning Finland, according to which the freedom of expression as secured in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights was violated.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs commissioned a comprehensive evaluation of neighboring area cooperation between Finland and Russia that encompassed all sectors of operation. The evaluation report concludes that neighbouring area cooperation has been successful and has yielded results. Project work has made it possible in our neighbouring environment to promote the development of many issues important to Finland.

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb will visit Brussels on 26 January. The Foreign Minister will give a speech at the Annual Meeting of Belgian Ambassadors. He will also have bilateral talks with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Steven Vanacker.

Mark Sedwill, NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, will make a visit to Helsinki on Tuesday, 25 January.

On Thursday 20 January, the Government decided to propose to the President of the Republic six new appointments. The President of the Republic will appoint the Ambassadors in the presidential session on Friday 21 January.