Foreign Ministry's press releases

The group of 21 young journalists invited to Finland by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is visiting the Åland Islands on 12–13 August. The visit is part of the Foreign Correspondents’ Programme (FCP), a media training programme arranged by the Ministry for newly graduated or graduating journalism students.

Today on Wednesday, Finland has offered Russia equipment and expert assistance to fight forest and wildfires. The assistance offered consists of two forest fire protection containers which include fire fighting hoses and pumps. In addition, Finland is prepared to send two forest fire experts to Russia.

By the decision of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen, Finland has granted a total of 1.2 million euros in humanitarian assistance for flood victims in Pakistan. Some 500,000 people have been left homeless and 252,000 buildings have been destroyed by the floods.

Yesterday on Sunday 8 August the Finnish Embassy in Moscow approached the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations about the forest and wildfires in Russia. The Embassy expressed Finland’s readiness to follow the situation and asked if there was a need for possible additional assistance. Finland has however limited capacity to provide assistance because we do not have heavy aerial firefighting equipment, and resources are also needed here in Finland.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has invited 21 journalism students to attend a four-week media training programme in Finland. Its aim is to broaden the participants’ interest in Finland, to foster a positive attitude towards Finland and a deeper understanding of the country, and to sharpen Finland’s profile. In the longer term the programme can be seen as an investment in future media relations and as such as an integral part of the Ministry’s efforts in the field of public diplomacy.

In its draft budget for 2011 submitted to the Ministry of Finance on May 14, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs proposes that its administrative branch be allocated a total of 1,278.3 million euros. That sum exceeds the assigned spending limits by EUR 15.7 million. The difference is mainly attributable to operating expenses for the administrative branch, membership fees and the implementation of cross-border cooperation in keeping with the current Ministry strategy.

The General Affairs Council and the Foreign Affairs Council will convene in Brussels on Monday 26 July. Permanent Representative to the European Union, Ambassador Jan Store, will represent Finland at both meetings.

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb welcomes the publication of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Advisory Opinion clearly confirms that Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008 was legal.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen has granted 250,000 euros to support the organization of Afghanistan’s upcoming parliamentary elections on September 18, 2010. The purpose is to contribute to a successful electoral process through the UNDP Electoral Fund.

The role of media in conflict will be discussed at the Foreign Ministry's SuomiAreena event in Pori. Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb will lead a panel discussion titled: ”The Role of Media in Conflict and Tension”. President Martti Ahtisaari and Wadah Khanfar, Director General of the Al-Jazeera Network together with Janne Virkkunen, Chairman of the International Press Institute, will discuss the role of media in war and peace.