Foreign Ministry's press releases

The President of the Republic, at the Government’s proposal, decided on Friday, 7 May to increase the number of Finnish troops participating in the ISAF mission temporarily by about 50 so that the total number at the beginning of 2011 would be no more than 195 soldiers.

The EU Foreign Affairs Council will meet in Brussels on 10 May. The main topics on the agenda of the Foreign Ministers’ meeting are the EU–Russia Summit and the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Finland already has many peace mediation accomplishments to present, but according to the study entitled “Peace Mediation – Finland’s Guidelines” released by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 6 May, the country’s peace mediation role can be strengthened further. Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb hosted the event held to launch the publication, which was also attended by President Martti Ahtisaari.

According to Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen, in this changing operational environmental, neighbouring area cooperation between Finland and Russia must invest increasingly in economic cooperation alongside the traditional sectors. Minister Väyrynen spoke at the NGO seminar held in Helsinki on Tuesday, 4 May.

Finland has sent a note to the State of Mexico demanding a full investigation of the event that led to the shooting of human rights activist Jyri Jaakkola. In addition, Finland condemns the violence and demands that those responsible are brought to trial. The Finnish Embassy in Mexico has conveyed the same demands to the Secretary General and the Interior Minister of the state of Oaxaca.

The Finnish nominee Eva Biaudet was selected as a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues following elections in New York on 28 April. PFII was founded in 2002. Finland was one of the most active drivers of establishing the Forum. The Forum has become an important global actor bringing together representatives of the indigenous peoples and the UN member states.

Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb will make an official visit to India on 3-4 May. Stubb will be hosted by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. The Ministers will discuss topical international and regional issues and Finnish-Indian relations.

According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Stubb clean production and lower emissions have a positive impact not only on the environment but also on the European and Finnish economy.

Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis of Lithuania is visiting Finland on 28–29 April at the invitation of Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb.

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen calls for cooperation between the stakeholders in Arctic action, rather than taking competing positions. The Minister considers the Commission Communication of 2008 on the Arctic as the first clear indicator of willingness to create a holistic Arctic policy for the EU in view of promoting cooperation in the interest of the northern regions.